Bush wades in to save beleaguered Wolfowitz

London Telegraph | April 15, 2007
Tim Shipman

President George W Bush has launched a last-ditch bid to save the career of Paul Wolfowitz, the World Bank president and an architect of the Iraq war, who is facing cronyism claims for helping his girlfriend gain a promotion and a huge pay rise.

Mr Wolfowitz faces a growing clamour for his resignation over the controversy, which is overshadowing the annual spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington.

White House officials intervened after a leaked report revealed that European governments had decided to cut off contributions to the bank's loan funds unless Mr Wolfowitz quits.

"The president has full confidence in Paul Wolfowitz," said the White House spokesman Dana Perino. "He's done a remarkable job at the World Bank. We expect him to remain as World Bank president. He has the president's support."

Henry Paulson, the US treasury secretary, described Mr Wolfowitz as "a very dedicated public servant".

President George W Bush has launched a last-ditch bid to save the career of Paul Wolfowitz, the World Bank president and an architect of the Iraq war, who is facing cronyism claims for helping his girlfriend gain a promotion and a huge pay rise.

Paul Wolfowitz: Beleaguered

Mr Wolfowitz faces a growing clamour for his resignation over the controversy, which is overshadowing the annual spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington.

White House officials intervened after a leaked report revealed that European governments had decided to cut off contributions to the bank's loan funds unless Mr Wolfowitz quits.

"The president has full confidence in Paul Wolfowitz," said the White House spokesman Dana Perino. "He's done a remarkable job at the World Bank. We expect him to remain as World Bank president. He has the president's support."

Henry Paulson, the US treasury secretary, described Mr Wolfowitz as "a very dedicated public servant".