World Bank report finds Wolfowitz violated rules
World Bank report finds Wolfowitz violated rulesBy Reuters
Tuesday May 15, 2007 [08:06]
A World Bank panel found bank President Paul Wolfowitz violated several rules in his handling of a promotion and generous pay increase for his companion and his involvement in the matter represented a conflict of interest.
Wolfowitz rejected the panel's report on Monday and the United States showed no sign of yielding in its steadfast support for the former US deputy defense secretary, saying the findings were no grounds to dismiss him.
"Mr. Wolfowitz's contract requiring that he adhere to the Code of Conduct for board officials and that he avoid any conflict of interest, real or apparent, were violated," the panel said of Wolfowitz's handling of a pay and promotion deal for World Bank Middle East expert Shaha Riza in 2005.
"The salary increase Ms. Riza received at Mr. Wolfowitz's direction was in excess of the range established by Rule 6.01," the panel said.
In documents released late on Monday, Wolfowitz called the findings "unbalanced and flawed" and argued that the panel had omitted statements and documents that support his position.
Board officials involved in the month-long turmoil said that behind-the-scenes diplomatic maneuvering would intensify now that a decision on Wolfowitz's future was closer to a final resolution.
One board official said member countries will make another effort to resolve their differences and Wolfowitz still had a chance of rescuing himself, depending on whether he could present a clear plan for how he could rebuild his credibility.
Meanwhile, 37 country directors on the front line of the bank's operations said in a letter to the board and to Wolfowitz that the leadership crisis had damaged the bank's reputation and effectiveness in fighting poverty.
(For more international news, click on the World News link)
Labels: PAUL WOLFOWITZ, World Bank
posted by MrK @ 3:55 PM
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