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World Bank hears Wolfowitz case | World Bank hears Wolfowitz case |
(10 minutes later) | |
The president of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz, is meeting the bank's 24-member executive board to respond to calls for his resignation. | |
The meeting comes after the panel said he broke bank rules by helping secure a pay rise for his girlfriend. | |
The board has the power to dismiss him or could choose to report a lack of confidence in his leadership. | The board has the power to dismiss him or could choose to report a lack of confidence in his leadership. |
Earlier in the day, the White House said it still supported Mr Wolfowitz, but added all options were still open. | Earlier in the day, the White House said it still supported Mr Wolfowitz, but added all options were still open. |
"We've made clear that we support Paul Wolfowitz", said spokesman Tony Snow, but added that the bank's "best interests" also had to be served. | "We've made clear that we support Paul Wolfowitz", said spokesman Tony Snow, but added that the bank's "best interests" also had to be served. |
The United States failed to win the support of key allies in the Group of Seven, according to a source quoted by Reuters. | The United States failed to win the support of key allies in the Group of Seven, according to a source quoted by Reuters. |
"Japan was aligned with the United States, but others, including Canada, were against Wolfowitz continuing," the European source said following a conference call of G7 officials. | "Japan was aligned with the United States, but others, including Canada, were against Wolfowitz continuing," the European source said following a conference call of G7 officials. |
The G7 also includes Italy, France, Germany and Britain. | The G7 also includes Italy, France, Germany and Britain. |
'Not a firing offence' | 'Not a firing offence' |
On Monday, a panel of World Bank executives said Mr Wolfowitz provoked a "conflict of interest" at the bank, by breaking its code of conduct and violating the terms of his contract. Q&A: Wolfowitz and the World Bank | On Monday, a panel of World Bank executives said Mr Wolfowitz provoked a "conflict of interest" at the bank, by breaking its code of conduct and violating the terms of his contract. Q&A: Wolfowitz and the World Bank |
Mr Wolfowitz has faced calls for him to step down since details emerged about his role in securing a pay rise for his partner, Shaha Riza, who used to work at the bank. | Mr Wolfowitz has faced calls for him to step down since details emerged about his role in securing a pay rise for his partner, Shaha Riza, who used to work at the bank. |
Mr Snow told journalists at the White House that Mr Wolfowitz agreed "a lot of mistakes were made" in the process, but they were not a "firing offence". | Mr Snow told journalists at the White House that Mr Wolfowitz agreed "a lot of mistakes were made" in the process, but they were not a "firing offence". |
When Mr Wolfowitz was appointed president of the World Bank in 2005, Ms Riza was transferred to work for the US state department, to avoid any conflict of interest. | When Mr Wolfowitz was appointed president of the World Bank in 2005, Ms Riza was transferred to work for the US state department, to avoid any conflict of interest. |
But her salary rose quickly to about $193,000 (£98,000) - more than the $186,000 that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice receives before tax. | But her salary rose quickly to about $193,000 (£98,000) - more than the $186,000 that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice receives before tax. |
The World Bank has since been investigating the extent of Mr Wolfowitz's role in securing the pay increase. | The World Bank has since been investigating the extent of Mr Wolfowitz's role in securing the pay increase. |