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White House stands by Wolfowitz White House stands by Wolfowitz
(10 minutes later)
The White House says it still supports World Bank head Paul Wolfowitz but has conceded that he made mistakes.The White House says it still supports World Bank head Paul Wolfowitz but has conceded that he made mistakes.
"We've made clear that we support Paul Wolfowitz", said spokesman Tony Snow, who added that the bank's "best interests" also had to be served."We've made clear that we support Paul Wolfowitz", said spokesman Tony Snow, who added that the bank's "best interests" also had to be served.
A day earlier, the bank said Mr Wolfowitz broke its rules by helping secure a pay rise for his girlfriend.A day earlier, the bank said Mr Wolfowitz broke its rules by helping secure a pay rise for his girlfriend.
The comments come in advance of Mr Wolfowitz's hearing before the bank, to decide on his role at the institution.The comments come in advance of Mr Wolfowitz's hearing before the bank, to decide on his role at the institution.
Mr Wolfowitz is set to appear before the bank's 24-member board later on Tuesday.Mr Wolfowitz is set to appear before the bank's 24-member board later on Tuesday.
The board could dismiss him or report a lack of confidence in his leadership.The board could dismiss him or report a lack of confidence in his leadership.
No 'nudge, nudge'No 'nudge, nudge'
On Monday, a panel of World Bank executives said Mr Wolfowitz provoked a "conflict of interest" at the bank, by breaking its code of conduct and violating the terms of his contract.On Monday, a panel of World Bank executives said Mr Wolfowitz provoked a "conflict of interest" at the bank, by breaking its code of conduct and violating the terms of his contract.
Mr Wolfowitz has faced calls for him to step down since details emerged about his role in securing a pay rise for his partner, Shaha Riza, who used to work at the bank.Mr Wolfowitz has faced calls for him to step down since details emerged about his role in securing a pay rise for his partner, Shaha Riza, who used to work at the bank.
Mr Snow told journalists at the White House that Mr Wolfowitz agreed "a lot of mistakes were made" in the process, but they were not a "firing offence".Mr Snow told journalists at the White House that Mr Wolfowitz agreed "a lot of mistakes were made" in the process, but they were not a "firing offence".
"There are two tracks going on right now," Mr Snow added. "Number one, we've made clear that we support Paul Wolfowitz. And the separate track is what is gonna be best for the institution.""There are two tracks going on right now," Mr Snow added. "Number one, we've made clear that we support Paul Wolfowitz. And the separate track is what is gonna be best for the institution."
Mr Snow denied that the White House was trying to send "a wink, wink, nudge, nudge signal" by supporting Mr Wolfowitz while at the same time stressing the World Bank's interests.Mr Snow denied that the White House was trying to send "a wink, wink, nudge, nudge signal" by supporting Mr Wolfowitz while at the same time stressing the World Bank's interests.
US backing
When Mr Wolfowitz was appointed president of the World Bank in 2005, Ms Riza was transferred to work for the US state department, to avoid any conflict of interest.When Mr Wolfowitz was appointed president of the World Bank in 2005, Ms Riza was transferred to work for the US state department, to avoid any conflict of interest.
But her salary rose quickly to about $193,000 (£98,000) - more than the $186,000 that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice receives before tax.But her salary rose quickly to about $193,000 (£98,000) - more than the $186,000 that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice receives before tax.
The World Bank has since been investigating the extent of Mr Wolfowitz's role in securing the pay increase.The World Bank has since been investigating the extent of Mr Wolfowitz's role in securing the pay increase.
Mr Wolfowitz has received the backing of senior figures in the US administration, including an endorsement by Vice-President Dick Cheney.
But he is less popular with European governments, which hold key positions on the board of the bank.