Wolfowitz as World Bank President

Am I right in assuming that the World Bank is possibly another branch of the US foreign policy system. As such Wolfowitz seems as likely a candidate as any. He obviously put his hand up for the job.
As for his credentials. Well, it's not what you know it's who you know.

It's simple really...

a) They wanted a WB prez who would give development loans to Iraq at rates favorable to US financial institutions, and

b) thought it would be cool to have another guy whose last name started with "Wolf"

quote:

Originally posted by Lomo:
Am I right in assuming that the World Bank is possibly another branch of the US foreign policy system.

I believe that World Bank leader is a US call while Europe chooses the head of the IMF.

My issue here was with that comment about human rights in the Guardian, however. Can we assume that Mandele would have been criticized as a choice for a similar position because of his "strong emphasis on human rights"?

Regards
Steve M

Actually, I think the Guardian leader is rather clever.

For example, the way it drags Bolton into the discussion - the implicit assumption presumably being that Wolfowitz is another Bolton - is inspired.

And "Europeans - who remember how the US managed to veto the German candidate to head the IMF last year - should now state their objections to Mr Wolfowitz loud and clear" - with the implication that Europeans should retaliate by objecting to Wolfowitz - is pure statespersonship...

That is not to say that I have an opinion on whether Wolfowitz would make a good president: I merely have an opinion about bad journalism.

quote:

Originally posted by Lomo:
Am I right in assuming that the World Bank is possibly another branch of the US foreign policy system.

Not "possibly" but sure.
When the time is right they "close up" countries.
Just like they did in Argentina.
After tzunami in far east, India governement declared they did not need any foreign financial help.
Those helps are loans and loans mean control.

All,

Please do a search for "Wolfowitz doctrine". Do we *really* want this gut running the WB?

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

quote:

Do we *really* want this gut running the WB?

We probably don't, but they've already decided.

I think he'll do a good job.

Regards
Steve M

When I was at school we had a system that the two best sportsmen took turns in picking their teams. Very unpleasant for the ones picked last.
I assume from what has been stated here that world politics are run along the same lines.
What a sad state of affairs.

I don't understand the point that you're making here.

Are you saying that the US government shouldn't propose the Head of the World Bank (as opposed to its twin, the IMF, whose head is proposed by the Europeans) or that they shouldn't choose the person they think is best for the job?

As for the school playground system, it usually resulted in games that were fair and reasonably balanced. I was one of those selected near the end. So what? I was not one of the best players and I had to get used to that. Occasionally, the two captains who picked the sides were the weaker players.

As he's previously said, Iraq is a very rich country that'll soon be able to pay for its reparations etc, and now he can supervise the cutting of the pie for the U.S. & the U.K. it's as simple as that.

Fritz Von Who's gonna be Greenspans successor?