Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Nation & World


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published June 26, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified June 26, 2007 at 2:01 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Capital Watch

Board of World Bank approves new president

Robert Zoellick, a seasoned player in international financial and diplomatic circles, won the unanimous approval of the World Bank's board...

WASHINGTON — Robert Zoellick, a seasoned player in international financial and diplomatic circles, won the unanimous approval of the World Bank's board on Monday to become the poverty-fighting institution's next president.

Zoellick will succeed Paul Wolfowitz, whose last day is Saturday, ending a stormy two-year tenure. The new president will take the reins Sunday, the first day of his five-year term.

"I am ready to get to work," Zoellick declared, shortly after the board's action.

Wolfowitz courted controversy from the start because of his role in the Iraq war when he was deputy defense secretary. However, it was his role in arranging a hefty pay raise for Shaha Riza, his girlfriend and a bank employee, that forced his upcoming departure. That prompted a staff revolt and calls by Europeans and others for Wolfowitz to resign.

President Bush turned to Zoellick — his former top trade envoy and No. 2 diplomat — to heal the wounds and mend the relationships strained by the Wolfowitz episode. Welcoming the board's action Monday, Bush called Zoellick "a dynamic leader who is deeply committed to the mission of the World Bank."

New Wyoming senator sworn in

Dr. John Barrasso began his rounds on Capitol Hill on Monday, learning how to be a senator.

Barrasso, a conservative Republican surgeon who was until now a Wyoming state senator, was sworn in by Vice President Dick Cheney on Monday afternoon. Gov. Dave Freudenthal selected him to fill the seat of Sen. Craig Thomas, who died June 4 while being treated for leukemia.

At a photo session with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Wyoming's other senator, Republican Mike Enzi, Barrasso declined to answer any questions.

The Democrats hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate, and one Democrat, South Dakota's Tim Johnson, is absent, recovering from a brain hemorrhage.

Seattle Times news services

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

More Nation & World headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

A Bing deal for Microsoft, News Corp.?

Amazon, Wal-Mart escalate Web price war

6.8-magnitude quake rattles Tonga

8 charged in probe of terrorism-recruiting network in U.S.

Hate crimes against gays, religious groups up, FBI says

Advertising

Video

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle

Marketplace

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

nwautos

Less is more: Group rides, good gas mileage have led to a scooter swarm in Seattlenew
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising