Wolfowitz Faces New Inquiry
Board Divided on Whether He Should Continue to Lead Bank
By Krissah Williams and Karen DeYoung
Washington Post
The World Bank's board said yesterday that it has ordered an ad hoc group of its members to "urgently" conduct a far-reaching investigation into bank President Paul D. Wolfowitz's involvement in arranging the compensation and promotion package for his companion, who is also a bank employee.
The board did not set a timeframe for the committee's deliberations, but bank officials said an announcement could come as early as next week. The board has also postponed a nine-day trip to Mongolia and the Philippines set to start next week, bank officials said.
The directors are divided over whether Wolfowitz should continue to lead the anti-poverty institution. U.S. officials, who hold sway because the United States is the bank's largest shareholder, have expressed support for Wolfowitz. But, in its statement, the board reiterated its "great concern" over the matter.
In a separate statement, Wolfowitz said he "welcomes the decision of the board to move forward and resolve this very important issue." He said again that he does not intend to resign.
The board, which met for more than nine hours on Thursday and early yesterday, widened the investigation beyond the possible violations of staff rules committed by Wolfowitz when he outlined a transfer and career plan for Shaha Riza, a woman to whom he is romantically linked.
It said that the ad hoc group will consider bank rules for both the staff and the president, and "conflict of interest, ethical, reputation, and other relevant standards."
(Continued here.)
By Krissah Williams and Karen DeYoung
Washington Post
The World Bank's board said yesterday that it has ordered an ad hoc group of its members to "urgently" conduct a far-reaching investigation into bank President Paul D. Wolfowitz's involvement in arranging the compensation and promotion package for his companion, who is also a bank employee.
The board did not set a timeframe for the committee's deliberations, but bank officials said an announcement could come as early as next week. The board has also postponed a nine-day trip to Mongolia and the Philippines set to start next week, bank officials said.
The directors are divided over whether Wolfowitz should continue to lead the anti-poverty institution. U.S. officials, who hold sway because the United States is the bank's largest shareholder, have expressed support for Wolfowitz. But, in its statement, the board reiterated its "great concern" over the matter.
In a separate statement, Wolfowitz said he "welcomes the decision of the board to move forward and resolve this very important issue." He said again that he does not intend to resign.
The board, which met for more than nine hours on Thursday and early yesterday, widened the investigation beyond the possible violations of staff rules committed by Wolfowitz when he outlined a transfer and career plan for Shaha Riza, a woman to whom he is romantically linked.
It said that the ad hoc group will consider bank rules for both the staff and the president, and "conflict of interest, ethical, reputation, and other relevant standards."
(Continued here.)
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