Paul Wolfowitz and his close female
friend Shaha Riza (File Photo)
WASHINGTON, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank's board is
leaning toward taking stern disciplinary action against President Paul
Wolfowitz, with some bank officials saying there could be majority support in
favor of calling for Wolfowitz's removal as early as this week, The Wall Street
Journal reported Wednesday.
The 24-member board is expected in the coming days to
respond formally to a confidential, 50-page draft report by a special board
committee set up to look into Wolfowitz's handling of a promotion package for
his girlfriend and bank staffer, Shaha Riza.
The report concludes that Wolfowitz placed himself in
a "conflict of interest" when he dictated the terms of Riza's package and says
he should have removed himself from the situation, according to a source close
to the board who is familiar with the document.
It raises concerns about his failure to consult with
the board and bank ethics officials on details of Riza's transfer, noting that
the pay increases and promotion given to her were excessive and went beyond what
bank rules allow.
The panel has given Wolfowitz until the end of
Wednesday to respond to the allegations.
Bank officials said they expected the panel to
incorporate his response into its final report to the full board, along with its
recommendations on what steps the board should take. The full board might then
take up those recommendations Friday.
As Wolfowitz's attorney demanded more time to
respond, some European finance ministers added Tuesday to the growing pressure
for Wolfowitz to step down. But the White House said it was standing by the
former deputy defense secretary.
Despite the Bush administration's apparent
steadfastness, Wolfowitz's reign at the bank appeared increasingly tenuous as
the full board began to weigh how to respond to the committee report.
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. Full story
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
Print
