LOC22:26
19:26 GMT
WASHINGTON, June 15 (KUNA) -- President George W. Bush's candidate to head
the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, is likely to be confirmed by the Banks Board
of Directors as the deadline for nomination came to an end on Friday, bank
sources told reporters.
Zoellick was tapped by Bush after former President Paul Wolfowitz had to
resign last May under mounting pressure following his involvement in directing
a pay raise to a Banks female employee he was intimately involved with.
The United States only offered a contender before the close of deadline,
and no other country challenged the long standing tradition that gives the US
the exclusive right to nominate the World Bankss chief while the Europeans
have the same privilege for the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The first trip of Zoellick after his nomination was to Africa, a sign of
following the same track of his predecessor in reaching out for this part of
the world, now Zoellick is in Europe before heading to Central America.
Zoellick recently described this trip as a "listening and learning" tour,
while showing resemblance to Wolfowitzs agenda on anti-corruption strategy,
infrastructure development and regional integration.
In spite of some reservations on his selection process, mainly from South
Africa and the Banks staff association, Zoellicks presidency is a matter of
formality before taking on his new job beginning of next July as Wolfowitzs
resignation is effective on June 30. (end)
jm.bs
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