Description: President Bush says he wants former U.S. trade representative Robert Zoellick to head the World Bank. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, Zoellick would replace Paul Wolfowitz, who steps down next month following a scandal over a pay raise for his girlfriend. President Bush says Ambassador Zoellick has all the right qualities to head the World Bank. The 53 year old lawyer is currently a top executive at the New York investment firm Goldman Sachs. As deputy secretary of state in 2005 and 2006, Zoellick focused on ending violence in Sudans troubled Darfur region. Zoellick was the U.S. trade representative from 2001 to 2005 and helped launch the Doha round of world trade talks. He worked on free trade agreements with Singapore, Chile, Australia, and Morocco and oversaw trade talks with five nations of Central America and the Dominican Republic, as well as Bahrain, Jordan, Vietnam, Panama, Thailand, and the Southern African Customs Union. Zoellick follows outgoing Bank chief Wolfowitz who is being forced to step down next month, two years into his five year term. Bank employees and many European contributors complained about Wolfowitzs management style and his role in securing a sizeable pay raise for his girlfriend. Following the Wolfowitz scandal, executive directors of the Bank issued a statement saying the essential qualities of the next leader include a proven track record of leadership and political objectivity and independence. The United States is the World Banks largest donor, and the American president has chosen its chief since the 185 member group was founded following the Second World War. European nations, in turn, choose the head of the international Monetary Fund. Zoellicks nomination must now be approved by the World Banks 24 member board of governors.
Tags: bank bush paul president robert wolfowitz world zoellick
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