World Bank Staff: No to Wolfowitz

[chlamor]

Don't deposit Wolfowitz with us, plead World Bank workers

Julian Borger in Washington
Saturday March 19, 2005
The Guardian

Washington's nomination of Paul Wolfowitz as the World Bank's next president has triggered an outcry among the bank's staff, who have demanded the right to have a say in his confirmation, it emerged yesterday.

The staff association has met the bank's executives to voice its concerns after it was swamped with complaints from employees over the selection of Mr Wolfowitz, the US deputy defence secretary and one of the architects of the Iraq war.

One bank employee said yesterday: "When you work for the bank you have to be a compromise-seeker. Everyone sees him as a divisive figure."

In an email to members, the staff association's chairwoman, Alison Cave, said: "While recognising that the selection and confirmation of the next World Bank president is the prerogative of the shareholders, staff are asking that their views be taken into consideration and taken seriously by the decision-makers."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1441350,00.html

[Quakerfriend]

1. Great news!

The whole world is watching!

Please people, let's get out in the streets!

[Pithy Cherub]

2. Go World Bank Staff!

Wolfowitz's charm offensive should be renounced and doomed to failure when it starts...if ever.:(

[Robbien]

7. It doesn't make a difference. The US has the deciding vote

The US gets to decide who leads the World Bank and EU gets to decide who leads the IMF.

So everyone in the World Bank can vote no, but the US's vote is the only one that counts.

[Pithy Cherub]

11. Remember those recalcitrant generals who leaked Rummy's

plans? Staff makes a huge difference as to how successful you will ultimately be - that's why the Wolf first priority is to remove the objectors a la the * administration - CIA.

Staff resistance in this would be highly interesting to watch as the shareholders will have a say in who is staff.;)

[Thor_MN]

20. I'm pretty sure that * gets to NOMINATE the president of the World Bank

but that the EU has to consent. Likewise in reverse for the IMF. I'm not 100% on that, but I don't think that Dumbass gets to just give Wolfman the key to the WB president's bathroom.

[LibertyLover]

23. Wolfowitz and the Bank

That's correct. There is nothing in either the Bank's Articles of Agreement or IMF's that say the US appoints the president of the Bank and the EU gets IMF. It is a convention that has been observed since the Bank's founding. And while the US is the Bank's largest shareholder and gets to vote it's shares proportionately to other members, it does not hold a majority of shares, so that it's conceivable his appointment could be turned down by the Executive Directors. I was interested to see that the Guardian knew about Alison's e-mail to staff since we only got it ourselves yesterday. I doubt that the EDs will allow staff to formally comment, but I hope that we will be allowed to informally make our views known.

[salin]

36. It is my understanding that previously

the nominations have always been accepted. Thus there is that old sentiment of "this is how it is done..." that has to be overcome for a serious challenge to not accept the nominatin to be mounted.

Fortunately a lessor high profile icky nominee would probably have sailed through on tradition. But wolfowitz with his public role in planning the war and his very public war in trying to force europe into supporting the role (if I recall he offered some rather bullying words pointed at Europe before the UN vote...) makes him just the person for whom rising up and going against tradition could happen.

[MADem]

45. Ha! When I read your comment all I could think of was

...the WB staff saying "Yeah, but everything's CHANGED since 9.11!!"

The chimp regime tosses out that tired old line everytime they want to get their way on any issue. Maybe it's time for this outfit to use their very words against them!

[LibertyLover]

51. Wolfowitz at the Bank

With the other nominations of presidents by the US, the Bank has accepted them, perhaps not happily but without too much flak. However, the Executive Directors announced that they intended to interview Wolfowitz - something they have done with no other presidential nominee - that should give you some idea of the feeling about this nomination.

[salin]

52. How very interesting...

I hope that it is for more than "show". Thanks for the info. Oh how I hope that this can be stopped.

[Cha]

3. So we're not the only ones who

think ol' woofiewitz is a big downer!

[bullimiami]

4. suck comb, comb hair.....

**shudder**

he is one creepy vampire.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

40. another man spitas on hand and smooths wolfies hair (GAG)

[Ekova]

5. ?

"I would rather be led stongly even if I don't agree with him".

You'll have to forgive me, but when the fuck did this line of thinking seep out of the woodwork? I can't believe all these people that park their intellect and intuition in order to follow helplessly.

Have they learned nothing?

E.

[catzies]

9. Yes, they did learn something. Acquiescence to fascism.

And a belated welcome to DU! :hi:

[0007]

16. Tis like saying, "My country right or wrong" ....

[ClintonTyree]

43. Follow him right over the cliff, type thing...............

You're correct. When did this "strong but wrong leadership" crap come into vogue? They don't like wishy-washy types, wafflers and such, :eyes: If you examine bush's record closely, you'll find enough waffles to feed the continent of Africa well into the next century.

We've become a nation of Lemmings.

[Robeson]

6. The Hallmark of this administration is that....

....they don't give a damn about the opinions or feelings of others. They live by the axiom, "don't confuse us with the facts, we've already made up our minds".

They could care less what this "staff association's chairwoman" says or what the employees think.

The cabal running this country are neocons, and their philosophy is they know better how to take care of us than we do. They believe in the divine right of the aristocracy to rule. They're corporate, paternalistic assholes...

[SpiralHawk]

8. Yeah, but...

this staff action will throw a major monkey wrench in the works, and divert gigawatts of BushCo time and energy, and insure that Wolfie meets scads of overt and covert internal resistance if he does get the job.

So, I's say this whole nomination adds up as a big loser for Bush.

Further, it casts by reflection a harsh light over the ugly battles in Congress over Bush extremist RW judicial nominees.

[Robeson]

10. I agree that the time and energy aspect is important....

...since they will also burn a lot of political capital trying to soothe the Europeans over this one.

[izzie]

12. Gee and he has left such a good record every place he has left.

It is a Neo-con world.

[ConcernedCanuk]

13. Geee - I wonder why . . .

.
.
.

[Jack Rabbit]

14. The only proper appointment for Wolfowitz is

defendant in front of the International Criminal Court.

[NEOBuckeye]

19. Amen to that!

I agree. Wolfowitz is a war criminal. However we ulitimately manage to take back this country, he and his NeoCon cronies must answer for their crimes.

[Ironpost]

15. what would wolfie have to offer besides plummel and pillage

[moondust]

27. Uncompromising imprudence? PNAC?

[katinmn]

17. Perhaps the whole world will boycott the US soon

I wouldn't blame them.

We don't fit in anymore.

Bush & Co have the diplomatic skills of a turd.

[Massachusetts]

18. I'm glad someone figured this out.

[BadGimp]

21. HA

like it will matter in the least..

Please.

WASS

[shanti]

22. and anyone who squawks will be

replaced....i betcha.

[Robert Oak]

24. Good for them

although I'll bet they end up in the unemployment line the way things work, but gotta love em for speaking out.

[paineinthearse]

25. Bono by far is more qualified

He has built up more countries that Wolfie has torn asunder. See Bono video - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1670649

[Nothing Without Hope]

26. The blivet** really enjoys giving the jackboot-in-the-face to dissenters

This will be quashed, and the neocons will relish their view that they are knocking the World Bank staff into compliance. Force is not only all they understand, it's what they enjoy. The World Bank is just another tool of world domination to them. And staffers are nobodies who will either be "loyal" or will be kicked out.

I admire the staffers for their courage in speaking truth to power. I expect one of the next steps in this sorry saga is for them to resign en masse as a gesture of protest that may at least make the major newspapers and will allow them to live with themselves. Then the neocons will hire their own obedient, amoral pets as they planned to all along.

[oasis]

28. What bank would even employ a notorious lying double dealer, let alone

appoint him bank president? :shrug:

[donheld]

29. Wolfowitz and Bolton's nominations IMHO

Are the equivalent of an terrorist attack on the world.

[American in Asia]

30. With good reason..

"All incoming bank presidents face scepticism and hostility from an entrenched and proud staff of development professionals who think they know ten times as much as the new president."

he's right, but with good reason - because they usually do. But in the case of Wolfowitz and development and poverty, make it more like 1,000 times more.

32. and I can vouch for this!

Hi American in Asia! See you tomorrow :-)

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[muriel_volestrangler]

33. Apart from Wolfowitz's warmongering, there's the matter of competence

or his lack of it. He's the man, after all, who gave millions of dollars to a convicted fraudster (Ahmed Chalabi) because he like the stories that Chalabi told him. Does that sound like the kind of guy to be in charge of a bank? Wolfowitz's main experience of development is the reconstuction of Iraq. We all know how well that has gone - billions unaccounted for, huge no-bid cost-plus contracts given to Pentagon favourites, ideological priviatisation forced in to unsuitable situations, run by naive right wing youngsters with no experience.

About the only candidate more unsuitable for the job would be Chalabi himself.

[ellenfl]

42. it's just that experience that makes him perfect for this

particular job. the wb is all about setting up minority business in underdeveloped countries until the big multi-national corporations can step in amd make money off them. this is right up wolfie's (and dubya's) alley.

ellen fl

[Barkley]

49. Write on Muriel! Why do Republicans reward failure?

First Rumsfeld, the Rice and now they're promoting Wolfowitz.
These people are abject failures and are being promoted/ rewarded.

This stands in stark constrast to the supposed Republican
principles of rewarding hard work and skill.

[sellitman]

34. Loose 8 BILLION in Iraq GET PROMOTED!!!

bushco really is just a poorly run company. Usually CEO's get the door for such a record. bushco thinks it's time for a pat on the back and a promotion. Very comforting!!!!

What an A**

[0007]

35. btt

:kick:

[Deja Q]

37. They'll jsut be fired, replaced with lackeys.

Hasn't anyone figured that out yet?

Still, at least they're piping up before the axe falls on them.

[bvar22]

38. Would YOU work for this guy?

[spooked911]

39. EEeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww. Thanks A LOT!

[muse]

47. I had forgotten ALL about that.

Gross.

[Gyre]

41. Got alot more guts than the CIA staff

But that scum is self-selected for the worst characteristics known to man. Guess cowardice goes along with the rest of the traits that make them desireable CIA employees.:)

Gyre

[DirtyDawg]

44. Whataya bet that....

poor Alison will be out of a job in less than a fortnight?

[MsMagnificent]

46. Consideration?

"staff are asking that their views be taken into consideration and taken seriously by the decision-makers."


Consideration is not a word in this governments dictionary. Nor any of it's synonyms.
As Scooby would say: Rood Ruck!

--Wolfowitz is in like Flynn.

[susu369]

48. It's about his "romantic relationship" with Shaha Ali Riza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously.

[American in Asia]

53. What is?

The opposition of Bank staff? If that's what you meant, no, it's not. There is no rule that spouses (or domestic partners) cannot both work there, but there will be complaints about perceptions of preferential treatment, of course, if his appointment goes through. That is not the basis for the staff's concern though. I think they are grasping at whatever could be used to oppose him because they share the concerns about where he'd lead the World Bank.

Also, while resignations en masse may be dramatic, I would be surprised if it happens. The vast majority of staff are not American citizens, and leaving their positions requires relocating their families back to their home countries as they lose their visa status. It's much more likely that there will be vocal opposition now, followed by a series of departures over the months after he takes office - some pushed, some voluntary. Just my guess.

[LdyGuique]

50. The New National Defense Strategy and the National Military Strategy

that was presented yesterday includes "preventive" or first strike strategy in a formal manner. Since this is bound to continue as a controversial issue and Wolfowitz has been and still is Undersecretary of the Defense, his hands are all over the plan. Since the DoD stresses that international multilateral cooperation is essential, it may very well prove to be more important than allowing a highly devisive World Bank hearing over Wolfowitz.

Since both Rice and Bush have invested substantial efforts into bridge building recently, it remains to be seen whether or not the World Bank appointment is more important.

Presentation Transcript

International Cooperation 'Crucial' to U.S. Defense Policy