Wolfowitz – Charity begins at home
Ian Brockwell
April 15, 2007
World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz has given us another example of how those connected to the current government like to look after their own.
Wolfowitz has been heavily criticized for his handling of his girlfriend’s (Shaha Riza) promotion within the Bank, and of course the substantial increase that went with it. Many have quite rightly called for his resignation.
Whilst his future has not yet been decided, it was no surprise that the White House have given him their support, seeing as it was the Bush administration that forced him into the position in the first place.
In a normal world, the leader of a Bank caught doing what Wolfowitz has done, would not wait to be asked to resign, he would have offered this himself (or be sacked). Unfortunately, members and friends of the administration no longer feel they have to follow the rules that apply to everyone else, and do whatever they please.
In the last few years we have seen endless appointments that have not been supported. Wolfowitz was one in 2005, John Bolton was another (during a Congressional recess) and many others. There seems to be a limitless number of tactics available, and if they should fail, there is always a veto!
Russia has often been criticized by the Bush administration in respect of holding back democracy, human rights and freedom of the press, but the US have a much worse record at the moment. The government have little or no respect for the peoples wishes, are increasingly involved in torture, and manipulate the media on a scale that challenges the methods used in the old Soviet Union.
If Wolfowitz needed a World Bank ethics panel to give him advice on the possible conflict of interest that his girlfriend might bring by working there, he is clearly not suitable for the job. And simply offering an apology when he gets caught, is just not good enough.
Hopefully, he will step down (with a little help), but if the last few years are anything to go by, he will not only keep his job, but get a pay rise as well! And if that doesn’t happen, I suppose he can always run for President?
Wolfowitz has been heavily criticized for his handling of his girlfriend’s (Shaha Riza) promotion within the Bank, and of course the substantial increase that went with it. Many have quite rightly called for his resignation.
Whilst his future has not yet been decided, it was no surprise that the White House have given him their support, seeing as it was the Bush administration that forced him into the position in the first place.
In a normal world, the leader of a Bank caught doing what Wolfowitz has done, would not wait to be asked to resign, he would have offered this himself (or be sacked). Unfortunately, members and friends of the administration no longer feel they have to follow the rules that apply to everyone else, and do whatever they please.
In the last few years we have seen endless appointments that have not been supported. Wolfowitz was one in 2005, John Bolton was another (during a Congressional recess) and many others. There seems to be a limitless number of tactics available, and if they should fail, there is always a veto!
Russia has often been criticized by the Bush administration in respect of holding back democracy, human rights and freedom of the press, but the US have a much worse record at the moment. The government have little or no respect for the peoples wishes, are increasingly involved in torture, and manipulate the media on a scale that challenges the methods used in the old Soviet Union.
If Wolfowitz needed a World Bank ethics panel to give him advice on the possible conflict of interest that his girlfriend might bring by working there, he is clearly not suitable for the job. And simply offering an apology when he gets caught, is just not good enough.
Hopefully, he will step down (with a little help), but if the last few years are anything to go by, he will not only keep his job, but get a pay rise as well! And if that doesn’t happen, I suppose he can always run for President?
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