World Bank to tighten security belt for Wolfowitz arrival
{{date|April 2, 2005}}

Despite controversy ignited by the [[W:White House|White House]] nomination of [[Paul Wolfowitz]] to head the [[w:World Bank|World Bank]] (WB), the 24-member board of directors voted unanimously on Thursday to accept his confirmation. A whirlwind tour by Wolfowitz, who traveled to many capital cities of the bank’s major shareholders and met with voting board members, quieted misgivings over his succession to the incumbent president [[w:John Wolfensohn|John Wolfensohn]].

Widespread criticism of the Wolfowitz role in the [[w:United States|US]] build-up to war in [[w:Iraq|Iraq]] heightened levels of security concerns within the bank as they anticipate his arrival. The WB, from the executive level down to memos circulated among departments, express concern for it becoming the target of terrorist attack. The level of seriousness being taken by WB led it to set up cost estimates for improving security.

Wolfowitz will assume leadership in June this year. Despite a belief by some that he acts unilaterally and lacks development experience, a [[w:European Commission|European Commission]] spokeswoman, speaking for Commissioner [[w:Rehn|Olli Rehn]], told a news conference that[Rehn] "was satisfied with everything he heard from Mr Wolfowitz concerning free trade and also on poverty reduction and development policy."

The ''[[w:Associated Press|Associated Press]]'' quotes the [[w:Belgium|Belgian]] Development Aid minister saying, "There are no objections of EU countries."

The public display of support belies dissention underneath. ''[[w:reuters|Reuters]]'' reportedly received a confidential email that provided details of a comment line on an internal website for the WB staff who use it from their far flung locations. The feelings about the Wolfowitz nomination received 1,300 responses, mostly about the bank’s reputation and effectiveness under the new leadership.

==Related news==

*{{Wikinews|title=World Bank president addresses global youth forum on genocide
|date=June 16, 2005}}
*{{Wikinews|title=Wolfowitz picked for top spot at World Bank
|date=March 18, 2005}}

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=5648953
|title=World Bank may tighten security under Wolfowitz
|author=Lesley Wroughton 
|pub=Reuters 
|date=April 2, 2005}}
*{{source|url= http://www.zaman.com/?bl=hotnews&alt=&trh=20050402&hn=18088
|title= Wolfowitz's World Bank to Tighten Security Measures
|author=Cihan
|pub=Zaman Daily Newspaper
|date=April 2, 2005}}
*{{source|url= http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1067335.cms
|title=Wolfowitz get top job at World Bank
|author=Reuters
|pub=Reuters
|date=April 2, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/03/31/worldbank.wolfowitz/|
title=Wolfowitz set for World Bank nod
|author=CNN.com, Associated Press (AP)
|pub=CNN.com
|date=March 31, 2005}}

== External links ==
*[http://borgenproject.blogspot.com Borgen Blog - the cost of poverty]

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[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Economy and business]]
[[Category:Paul Wolfowitz]]
[[Category:World Bank]]
[[Category:European Commission]]
Despite controversy ignited by the White House nomination of Paul Wolfowitz to head the World Bank (WB), the 24-member board of directors voted unanimously on Thursday to accept his confirmation. A whirlwind tour by Wolfowitz, who traveled to many capital cities of the bank’s major shareholders and met with voting board members, quieted misgivings over his succession to the incumbent president John Wolfensohn.

Widespread criticism of the Wolfowitz role in the US build-up to war in Iraq heightened levels of security concerns within the bank as they anticipate his arrival. The WB, from the executive level down to memos circulated among departments, express concern for it becoming the target of terrorist attack. The level of seriousness being taken by WB led it to set up cost estimates for improving security.

Wolfowitz will assume leadership in June this year. Despite a belief by some that he acts unilaterally and lacks development experience, a European Commission spokeswoman, speaking for Commissioner Olli Rehn, told a news conference thatRehn "was satisfied with everything he heard from Mr Wolfowitz concerning free trade and also on poverty reduction and development policy."

The Associated Press quotes the Belgian Development Aid minister saying, "There are no objections of EU countries."

The public display of support belies dissention underneath. Reuters reportedly received a confidential email that provided details of a comment line on an internal website for the WB staff who use it from their far flung locations. The feelings about the Wolfowitz nomination received 1,300 responses, mostly about the bank’s reputation and effectiveness under the new leadership.
Europe United States Politics and conflicts Economy and business Paul Wolfowitz World Bank European Commission