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New adjournment on Wolfowitz fate New adjournment on Wolfowitz fate
(40 minutes later)
The World Bank's board says it will resume on Thursday discussions on the fate of its President, Paul Wolfowitz.The World Bank's board says it will resume on Thursday discussions on the fate of its President, Paul Wolfowitz.
He has been at the centre of a scandal over alleged favouritism. His lawyer says the board will have to vote to sack him if it wants to get rid of him.He has been at the centre of a scandal over alleged favouritism. His lawyer says the board will have to vote to sack him if it wants to get rid of him.
"Mr Wolfowitz will not resign under this cloud," Robert Bennett told Reuters news agency."Mr Wolfowitz will not resign under this cloud," Robert Bennett told Reuters news agency.
The statement followed unconfirmed reports that Mr Wolfowitz was trying to negotiate terms for his resignation.The statement followed unconfirmed reports that Mr Wolfowitz was trying to negotiate terms for his resignation.
It was reported that he wanted the board to agree to accept some of the blame for the scandal relating to his girlfriend's pay rise.It was reported that he wanted the board to agree to accept some of the blame for the scandal relating to his girlfriend's pay rise.
'Damage''Damage'
Earlier, White House spokesman Tony Snow said they had to "figure out a way forward to maintain the integrity of the institution" after the current scandal.Earlier, White House spokesman Tony Snow said they had to "figure out a way forward to maintain the integrity of the institution" after the current scandal.
The comments have been taken as a signal that the Bush administration's support for Mr Wolfowitz is waning - although Mr Snow insisted that "we have confidence in him".The comments have been taken as a signal that the Bush administration's support for Mr Wolfowitz is waning - although Mr Snow insisted that "we have confidence in him".
Q&A: Wolfowitz and the World Bank Q&A: Wolfowitz row
Mr Wolfowitz is under pressure to resign after the panel said he had broken the bank's code of conduct by helping to secure a pay rise for his partner, Shaha Riza.Mr Wolfowitz is under pressure to resign after the panel said he had broken the bank's code of conduct by helping to secure a pay rise for his partner, Shaha Riza.
On Tuesday he told the board that their decision would affect how the US and the world viewed the World Bank.On Tuesday he told the board that their decision would affect how the US and the world viewed the World Bank.
"You still have the opportunity to avoid long-term damage by resolving this matter in a fair and equitable way that recognises that we all tried to do the right thing," Mr Wolfowitz said in a statement."You still have the opportunity to avoid long-term damage by resolving this matter in a fair and equitable way that recognises that we all tried to do the right thing," Mr Wolfowitz said in a statement.
But opposition to Mr Wolfowitz is mounting, especially in Europe.But opposition to Mr Wolfowitz is mounting, especially in Europe.
"He would do the bank and himself a great service if he resigned," according to the German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul."He would do the bank and himself a great service if he resigned," according to the German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul.
She suggested he would not be welcome at the World Bank's forum on aid for Africa, which is due to start in Berlin on Monday.She suggested he would not be welcome at the World Bank's forum on aid for Africa, which is due to start in Berlin on Monday.
"I would not advise him [to take part] if he's still in office," she said."I would not advise him [to take part] if he's still in office," she said.
'Opposition building''Opposition building'
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".
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.