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Wolfowitz lawyer fears rushed verdict
A special committee looking into whether World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz breached rules by approving a promotion for his girlfriend has declined to meet with his lawyer, raising concerns it is rushing to judgment, the lawyer said.
- Agencies
- Published: 00:00 April 25, 2007
Washington: A special committee looking into whether World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz breached rules by approving a promotion for his girlfriend has declined to meet with his lawyer, raising concerns it is rushing to judgment, the lawyer said on Tuesday.
"I have heard indirectly they will not meet with me, which is very disappointing and it raises questions about whether Mr. Wolfowitz is really going to be treated fairly," the lawyer, Robert Bennett, told Reuters.
"I hope it doesn't mean that, but I am concerned," said Bennett, a high-profile lawyer whose clients have included former president Bill Clinton.
Bennett said he was worried there was a "rush to judgment" over Wolfowitz, whose appointment to the presidency in mid-2004 was controversial because he was a US deputy defense secretary and architect of the war in Iraq.
Wolfowitz has apologized for his handling of the promotion and pay rise for Shaha Riza, who was moved by the bank to a job at the State Department after an ethics committee raised potential conflict of interest issues.
The bank's staff association has said the high-paying promotion broke bank rules and called for Wolfowitz to resign, while some European member countries have questioned whether he should keep his job.
The board appointed the committee last week to consider conflict of interest, ethical and reputation issues, amid concerns among members that the controversy would damage the reputation of the poverty-fighting agency.
The countries have urged a speedy resolution.
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