Posted on 04/14/2007 6:03:33 AM PDT by Kaslin
World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz’s career was hanging by a thread today, but new revelations in internal bank documents released by the bank seemed as if they would provide him a stronger lifeline.
Since Thursday, the 24-member board of directors of the bank – the world’s largest and most influential anti-poverty institution — has been locked in meetings that might decide whether to censure or sanction Wolfowitz — or even demand his resignation.
The issue: whether Wolfowitz broke or bent bank rules in 2005 to enable a large salary hike for his girlfriend, a longtime bank staffer named Shaha Riza, at the same time that he helped to arrange her transfer to the U.S. State Department to avoid a conflict of interest. Her net wages jumped from $132,660 to $193,590 by 2006, which made her – by far — the highest paid person at the State Dept.
Amid the controversy, calls for his resignation have come from the bank’s staff association – which makes up half the bank’s 10,000 employees – as well as from anti-poverty organizations, former bank officials, and even the editorial board of the Financial Times.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
If you read the article, the terms were what the Bank had proposed (bank salaries and perks are significantly higher than US positions ). Secondly, she is no longer on any federal payroll. She is now with a private foundation.
If you believe the World Bank over- compensates its employees, you have no argument from me. But if you are suggesting she somehow got favored treatment, the documents indicate otherwise:She was forced from a well-compensated position for no fault of her own and the Bank was trying to minimize the damage to her.
But, like so many things, the media plays on prejudices and ignorance to demonize Administration appointees and can always count on significant numbers of those on the right to fall for it.
I have no idea if he is married or not
The real Fifi said he was divorced....I think she must know him.
He and his wife separated in 2001 and divorced in 2002.
Well do you know him?
The fact of the separation and divorce is public record material.
Like I said I have no idea, if he is married or not. It’s really none of my business
No....I just don’t like the idea of the architect of the war being with an ARAB lady who just MAY have dual interests.....and paying her MORE than Condi Rice is a slap in the face!
It's completely dispiriting for those of us who actually make up the base.
By whom is Wolfowitz’s girlfriend paid?
The way it was initially reported and the way it has been spun is dispiriting. I don't know enough about it to really defend Wolfowitz, but if it's true (1) that he disclosed the relationship when he came aboard, (2) that he acted promptly to transfer the lady out of range of a conflict of interest, (3) that he simply rubber stamped the World Bank's buyout package, and (4) that the Board and other relevant Bank officials were apprised of what was going on, he probably should be ok.
If all of the above is true, the complaint would then be that, instead of rubber stamping the financial package himself, he should have recused himself so that his deputy could rubber stamp it. I don't suppose I would hang him for that. The key, however, is whether the Board was in the loop.
Now that I'm thinking about it, I believe I'd take the view that if Wolfowitz has to go, anyone on the World Bank board or in a senior staff position who knew about it and didn't blow the whistle should also be canned. Gotta be consistent.
The documents Fox provided links to should clear up that the scenario you outlined is exactly the case. When will people learn that the MSM is simply megaphoning the bureaucrats and Dems’ lies about the Bush appointtees. At least wait a day or two for the truth to catch up with the lies before making a judgement.
One article said she worked at the State Dept as was paid more than Condi!
She worked there for a short time after she had to leave the Bank. She now is outside the govt. Bank employees get pay and benefits far in excuss of US civil servants and the figure she received had been clared by the Bank and the State Dept. How easy it is to stir the pot with half-truths!
Fifi....she got paid MORE than Condi Rice when she was at the State Dept!! Do you think that;s OK??? If so, you must be her!
I will make the bold prediction that no one on this site will vote for the re-election of Pres. George W. Bush in 2008..... he is history.
Dhe had a job with high pay and benefits at the D oS and was forced to leave for reason of Bank Policy. An examination of the case by Bank officials indicated this was a fair resolution of the matter. What you think is “fair” seems incidental..What you seem to think is that the decision whether or not to fire Wolfowitz depends on who you think he should date and what you think her salary should be. Hooked again by the msm.
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