Wolfowitz Confirmed as Head of World Bank
WASHINGTON — The board of the World Bank voted unanimously Thursday to approve the appointment of Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz as the bank's next president, installing one of President Bush's closest lieutenants to run the influential anti-poverty agency.
The nomination of Wolfowitz, a chief architect of the Iraq war, brought dismayed reactions in Europe and elsewhere when it was announced two weeks ago. Since then, however, opposition has receded.
After the vote, announced at a board of directors meeting, Wolfowitz issued a statement emphasizing his intention to collaborate with others in the bank's work of funding development projects in poor countries.
"I look forward to deepening my understanding of the challenges facing the bank through exchanging views with two key groups: the civil society organizations whose advice has become increasingly important in bank deliberations; and the extraordinary professional staff of the bank."
Wolfowitz also thanked the 24-member board. "It is humbling to be entrusted with the leadership of this critically important international institution," he said.
Since his nomination, Wolfowitz has sought to reassure foreign leaders and anti-poverty activists that he does not intend to impose the Bush administration's wishes on the institution, which distributes about $20 billion a year. Nevertheless, it is widely expected that he will try to reshape the bank to make it more efficient, and push aid recipients toward adopting U.S. recommendations for governing their countries.
The World Bank, with 10,000 employees in 109 countries, provides loans and grants for a variety of purposes. Its original mission was to build large infrastructure projects, such as ports, roads and airports. But it has gradually branched into other areas, such as education and social services.
Wolfowitz's appointment has drawn comparison with that of former Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara, who took over the World Bank in 1968 after overseeing the Vietnam War under President Johnson.
Wolfowitz, 61, is to assume the post June 1 from James D. Wolfensohn, an Australian-born former investment banker who was appointed president of the bank in 1995 and 2000 by former President Clinton. Wolfowitz has praised Wolfensohn's emphasis on fighting corruption.
