Another quiet knife has been stuck into the gentleman’s agreement which has until now given the U.S. government the right to appoint the World Bank president. The Brazilian government representative at the Bank – Otaviano Canuto – has asked that the process of selecting the new Bank chief be opened up. In a note to colleagues on the board, he said the board should be allowed to chose between more than one candidate, based on merit. The board meets today to consider the process for selecting the new president. Continue reading →

The Government Accountability Project has been able to obtain a board report suggesting that the newly appointed Country Manager to Iraq, Simon Stolp may not be the best candidate. Continue reading →

The Dutch executive director at the World Bank, who led the committee that completed the report on the Wolfowitz Fiasco, and the Dutch Development Minister, who has been one of the more outspoken officials calling for an open process to select the next WB president, spoke to the Dutch media, as reported in English in an article from South African Press Agency (SAPA). Continue reading →

A rush of wire service articles from the G8 Finance Ministers’ meeting in Potsdam, Germany confirms that, at least as far as these people are concerned, the U.S. gets to retain its control of the World Bank presidency. And the next nomination, according to Reuters, could happen soon — “early June” is spoken of as the target. Continue reading →

Here’s a letter that Wolfowitz sent to the Board today. Some choice bits: “I may make a farewell trip to Africa at the request of a number of leaders…”; “I do not plan to continue routine briefings on policy issues”; “the most important assignment I feel I have ahead is to take the time to meet individually with staff who have been so loyal and effective in fulfilling the Bank’s mission” (meaning time to pay out the bribes I’ve promised, I suppose). If he’s not going to do anything, why does he have to stick around? Must be that $400k 2 year bonus. Continue reading →