This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/6558551.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Wolfowitz future still in balance | Wolfowitz future still in balance |
(about 13 hours later) | |
The future of beleaguered World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz remains in the balance despite a defiant statement that he intends to stay. | The future of beleaguered World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz remains in the balance despite a defiant statement that he intends to stay. |
Mr Wolfowitz is still facing calls to resign after admitting helping his partner win a promotion and pay rise. | Mr Wolfowitz is still facing calls to resign after admitting helping his partner win a promotion and pay rise. |
His fate lies in the hands of the executive board, which is under pressure to take a decision. | |
But a White House spokeswoman said President George W Bush still had "full confidence" in Mr Wolfowitz. | |
'Focus on job' | |
Nancy Perino added that Mr Wolfowitz, formerly deputy defence secretary, had done a "very good job" at the World Bank. | |
"He is focused on Africa and other areas around the world that need the World Bank's attention," she said. "And the president continues to have confidence in him." | |
The Bank's board of directors is expected to meet in the next few days to discuss the affair. | |
Bank member governments have said the matter is of great concern and the bank's staff association have urged him to quit. | |
Ms Riza was seconded to the US state department | |
Mr Wolfowitz has vowed to stay on to continue what he called "important work". | |
"I believe in the mission of this organisation and I believe that I can carry it out," he said. | "I believe in the mission of this organisation and I believe that I can carry it out," he said. |
The Dutch development minister added his voice to those raising questions about the impact of Mr Wolfowitz's actions, saying he saw the situation as a "substantial crisis for the institution". | The Dutch development minister added his voice to those raising questions about the impact of Mr Wolfowitz's actions, saying he saw the situation as a "substantial crisis for the institution". |
"I don't want to hide the fact that I have doubts about his functioning," Bert Koenders told Reuters. | "I don't want to hide the fact that I have doubts about his functioning," Bert Koenders told Reuters. |
He said that the bank lacked a clear sense of direction and hoped the board would come to a decision as a matter of urgency. | He said that the bank lacked a clear sense of direction and hoped the board would come to a decision as a matter of urgency. |
"There is also a lack of trust in the moment in the leadership and in the management, so that is something that has to be resolved," he said. | "There is also a lack of trust in the moment in the leadership and in the management, so that is something that has to be resolved," he said. |
Germany's development minister hinted that the bank may face future difficulty in gaining funding from member states. | Germany's development minister hinted that the bank may face future difficulty in gaining funding from member states. |
"An institution like the World Bank lives by its moral authority and its credibility," Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul said. | "An institution like the World Bank lives by its moral authority and its credibility," Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul said. |
A communiqué issued by development and finance ministers meeting in Washington said it was important the bank should maintain its credibility and reputation as well as the motivation of its staff. | |
Controversial nominee | Controversial nominee |
The row concerns events that occurred shortly after Mr Wolfowitz assumed his position at the World Bank. | The row concerns events that occurred shortly after Mr Wolfowitz assumed his position at the World Bank. |
His girlfriend, Libyan-born Shaha Riza, was seconded from the World Bank to the US state department to avoid creating a conflict of interest. | His girlfriend, Libyan-born Shaha Riza, was seconded from the World Bank to the US state department to avoid creating a conflict of interest. |
There she received promotions and pay rises which the bank's staff association say were "grossly out of line" with bank rules. | There she received promotions and pay rises which the bank's staff association say were "grossly out of line" with bank rules. |
The bank's executive board has said that it did not give its approval for Ms Riza's wage rise. | The bank's executive board has said that it did not give its approval for Ms Riza's wage rise. |
On Thursday, Mr Wolfowitz issued a statement apologising for the controversy. | |
Mr Wolfowitz was seen as a controversial nominee to the role from the beginning due to his part in driving forward the war in Iraq. | |