Paul Wolfowitz and his close female
friend Shaha Riza(File Photo)
BEIJING, May
7 (Xinhuanet) -- A special panel of World Bank directors has found that
World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz broke bank rules in arranging for a pay
package and promotion for Shaha Ali Riza, his companion, in 2005. The findings
stepped up the pressure on Wolfowitz to resign, U.S. media reported on
Monday.
The contents of the panel's findings were not
made public. People who are familiar with the panel's report said that it
reviewed extensive documents and testimony before concluding that Wolfowitz
breached his obligations in arranging for Riza's reassignment from the bank to
the State Department.
The report, as transmitted to Wolfowitz, did not
recommend a punishment for Wolfowitz. Bank officials, speaking anonymously
because the proceedings are supposed to be confidential, said that the special
committee was still working on what to recommend.
The
controversy over Riza's pay package has spurred calls for Wolfowitz'
resignation. He is fighting to hold onto his job.
Wolfowitz will be given a chance to weigh in before
the report is forwarded to the bank's board, the officials
said.
Wolfowitz' attorney, Robert Bennett, said his
client was being given 48 hours to respond, which he called "unreasonable and
unfair," and said they had requested to have until next Monday.
The bank's 24-member board will decide what action
should be taken, if any. A decision is expected soon.
A range of disciplinary options has been discussed.
The board could fire Wolfowitz, ask him to resign, signal that it lacks
confidence in his leadership, reprimand him or take no action. Some believed
that prospects were fading for a compromise under which Wolfowitz would avoid a
harsh reprimand but would resign anyway.
Wolfowitz has
maintained that he acted in good faith in arranging Riza's pay package and has
accused his critics of launching a "smear campaign" against him.
WASHINGTON, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A top adviser to World Bank
President Paul Wolfowitz said on Monday that he will resign from his service,
citing the controversy surrounding Wolfowitz made it difficult for him to be
effective.
"Kevin Kellems, Director of Strategy in External
Affairs and Senior Adviser, has informed me of his intention to resign from
service in the World Bank group, effective next week," said World Bank Senior
Vice President Marwan Muasher. Full story
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