WP: Nomination Shocks, Worries Europeans

[Pirate Smile]

Nomination Shocks, Worries Europeans
Some Say Selection of War Architect Could Undercut Improved U.S. Relations

By Keith B. Richburg and Glenn Frankel
Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, March 17, 2005; Page A07

PARIS, March 16 -- President Bush's nomination of Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz as the next president of the World Bank was met with much surprise, little enthusiasm and some outright opposition in Europe, where he is best known as a leading architect of a conflict deeply unpopular here, the Iraq war.

"We were led to believe that the neoconservatives were losing ground," said Michael Cox, a professor of international relations at the London School of Economics. "But clearly the revolution is alive and well." He added that despite recent efforts from Washington to mend relations, "Europeans are still inclined deep down to suspect the worst, and this appointment won't go down too well."

European countries control about 30 percent of the votes on the bank's board; opponents would be able to fight the nomination if they chose to do so. By tradition, the United States, the bank's largest shareholder, selects the president, while Europeans choose the head of the bank's sister institution, the International Monetary Fund.

-snip-
"There are two interpretations" of the selection of Wolfowitz, said Guillaume Parmentier, who heads the French Center on the United States, a research organization in Paris. "One is the optimistic one -- that this is going to take him away from U.S. policy. . . . The pessimistic interpretation is that this administration has to give sop to the far right. There was Bolton and now Wolfowitz -- where does it stop?"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41350-2005Mar16.html

[msongs]

1. just a nomination, doesnt mean he will get the job does it?

shows how ignorant I is......


Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[KoKo]

3. From what I read today it seems US has power to appoint who it wants

because we are the "controlling country" in the World Bank. :-( He doesn't have to be confirmed by House or Senate, which is maybe what you were wondering.

Presidential appointment, unfortunately. :-( I don't think the Europeans will defy it, even if they are unhappy since they are trying to keep peace with the Chimp to have some influence in other areas.

[Carolab]

12. It says they can oppose it--

"European countries control about 30 percent of the votes on the bank's board; opponents would be able to fight the nomination if they chose to do so."

PLEASE, STOP THEM!

[KDLarsen]

35. I was listening to CNN this morning

.. and during a discussion over this appointment, it was mentioned that when Germany aired their nominee for the IMF, Washington veto'd him. So it certainly can be done.

[Deja Q]

2. Michael Cox... Dunno what grades you were getting, but I'd check 'em,

because you got an "F" in terms of neocon power.

Hell, you're living outside the box with an electile disfunctional phallic-shaped state, no less! Most of us yanks go to outside websites like BBC News to get a 2nd opinion.

[applegrove]

4. I wonder if Bush is "baiting" the Europeans? Trying to get them to

start a fight... 'cause troube' (as they defend their boundaries and multilateral institutions).

Creeps!

[Erika]

5. King George mandates his Neocon will once again

He is the king of the planet. We are merely his subjects/inhabitants.

[opihimoimoi]

6. Is this the guy who licks his comb?? OMG, what the fuck is going on?

The WORST thing Bush could do...he does. Clearly he doesn't think for America other than those already rich/powerful.

[anitar1]

14. He is the guy who licks his comb--ugh

resembles a poison toad, imo

[Thurston Howell IV]

7. I like the optimistic interpretation

"One is the optimistic one -- that this is going to take him away from U.S. policy."

I can't imagine how he could make the World Bank any worse than it already is. And at least they can't drop bombs.

[burrowowl]

10. The World Bank

is a major root cause of poverty in the world. Poverty causes strife, which the U$ will quash with bombs.

[Thurston Howell IV]

13. We're already doing it

I don't see how Wolfie makes poverty worse -- the World Bank sucks as it is.

I think we agree.

[Corgigal]

8. I hate to wish this on the world

but if he gets the jobs then Wolfowitz can't be running around and starting more wars. My teenaged kids might be safe then.

I only hope.

[burrowowl]

9. Negroponte, Bolton

now Wolfowitz: the World knows when they are being slapped.

[tavalon]

36. That's bitched slapped, to be technical n/t

[burrowowl]

53. When a knight is slapped

he challenges the other to a dual. Will the U$ win this one?
To add: will the U$ win the Economic War?

[neverforget]

11. Just when I thought I couldn't be more outraged, Bush reminds me

that there is always another level of outrage.

[tavalon]

37. Sadly

this won't be your last reminder, most likely.

[Up2Late]

15. (World wide) Dismay at Wolfowitz's nomination (BBC)

Thursday, 17 March, 2005, 06:42 GMT

There has been a cool response to the US nomination of Paul Wolfowitz as the next head of the World Bank, a key development agency.

Mr Wolfowitz, 61, currently US Deputy Defence Secretary, has a reputation as a "neo-conservative" hawk and was a key architect of the Iraq war.

News of his candidacy brought criticism from aid agencies and faint praise from several European government ministers.

Mr Bush described Mr Wolfowitz as a "compassionate, decent man".

(more at link)

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4356745.stm>

[applegrove]

16. Bush is so delusional.

[gumby]

17. Phooey.

Is there ANY redeeming quality about the World Bank?

Are they worried about Wolfie blowing their cover? Phooey!!

[The_Casual_Observer]

18. Off to fuck up something else now, Wolfie?

We have seen the result of allowing a think tank nitwit to actually dictate real policy, the consequences have been tragic beyond words.

[tavalon]

38. Actually, one can't fuck something up that's already

fucked up beyond belief. And the World Bank is one of those fucked up beyond belief organizations as is. Wolfie can't break it any further.

[Spiffarino]

19. Anything that focuses negative attention on the World Bank

...is a good thing IMO. Maybe it will lead to some sweeping changes, who knows?

Wow, optimism. Nice to know 11/02/04 didn't destroy its last traces in me.

[opihimoimoi]

20. What in hell makes wolfie qualied????

Have they no shame....

[xxqqqzme]

21. Exactly!

he is as qualified as kindasleazy, bolton, goss, etc.......

[LdyGuique]

23. Has Bush appointed anyone other than Rumsfeld who

had some experience in the job they were given? I'm drawing a complete blank. I've heard of patronage, but his entire cabinet and sub-cabinet levels have been uniformly unqualified for their jobs.

[Hekate]

31. They know not the meaning of shame...

They inhabit some kingdom Beyond Shame, and exhibit breathtaking audacity.

Hekate

[pdurod1]

22. gets him out of the dept of defense -failed Iraq

but promotes him at the same time --neocon baseball card tradeup.

[Erika]

24. Just remember Wolfie repeatedly licking his comb

And then try to take him as a serious nominee. It can't be done.

[Up2Late]

27. Eeeeeeuuuuuwwwww! I did NOT need that visual before bad

That scene gave me the willies

[okoboji]

25. there should be

World wide Dismay over everything thing that Bush says and does!!

[ElectroPrincess]

32. But don't you see? There IS world wide dismay at the very least

over everything * does?!?

Read the foreign press?

But in one respect you're EXACTLY right here in America: You will NOT see a hint of potential world discontent within any aspect of the USA's corporate "bought and paid for" media.

Whenever there happens to be a hint of dismay, you can depend on Brit Hume and the others at FOX and friends to *play down* world opinion. After all Muuurikan's Rule Son! "Get with the team you democratic, liberal elite, commie bastards!" :puke:

[lies and propaganda]

26. good lord

i would vote for Bono. What the hell are the credentials for this job?

[malaise]

28. Dismay is an understatement

Jeffrey Sachs stated bluntly that he is not qualified for the job. This poor planet...damn.

[tavalon]

39. Well, since you asked

the ideal candidate is one who wishes to spread poverty and despair to third world countries while simultaneously stealing anything from those countries that might possibly be of value.

So really, anyone from the Bush administration is quite qualified.

[bowens43]

29. one fucked up decision after another from the idiot.

I hate that stupid son of bitch. Yes, that's right. I AM a bush hater. Absolutely , no doubt about it. Not only do I hate his policies , I hate the man himself.

[Hekate]

30. Memo to other nations: Just Say No & elect someone else

For the love of God, I hope so.

When I think things can't possibly get worse, Bush thinks of a way...

Hekate

[0007]

33. It was not a popular decision with a CNN poll that produced

an embarrassing result for the White House. CNN pulled the poll.
junior has caused anxious uneasiness in an already disturbed country.

The question is how long are the people going to go for it? Something must be done soon - -

[zanne]

48. Sometimes I think it's just revenge.

I think that the neocons were frustrated for so many years that, now that they've gained power, they just want to rub our noses in it. Anybody who opposed them in the past, or put obstacles in their path, are being beaten down. Fours years ago, I wouldn't have said this, but I think it's pretty obvious that there are some seriously unbalanced people in this administration.

[OETKB]

34. Meanwhile Back At The Farm...

The NY Times is portraying Mr. Wolfowitz as the coming of the second messiah. No mention of the damage this man has done in any meaningful way. This balanced superficial journalism, i.e. propaganda, is again ruining the way to world peace. Where is our leadership to condemn this appointment? They are missing in action.

<http://nytimes.com/2005/03/17/politics/17assess.html?hp&ex=1111122000&en=75cffd312578cb42&ei=5094&partner=homepage>

[Tesla]

40. Maybe he is

compared to the B#*hies!!

[emad]

41. Outrage over Bush World Bank nominee

Bill Condie, Evening Standard,
17 March 2005

PRESIDENT Bush's nominee for the top job at the World Bank, US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, has outraged development economists and activists, who say he is unqualified for the job. Columbia University economist Jeffrey Sachs said there were many people in the US and around the world with expertise in development economics, but Wolfowitz was not one of them.

'We need someone with professional experience in helping people to escape from poverty. Mr Wolfowitz does not have that track record,' he said.

John Cavanagh, director of the Institute for Policy Studies, a liberal think-tank, said: 'If the Bush administration wanted to poke a finger into the eye of every nation on Earth, it couldn't have made a better choice.'

Wolfowitz's nomination aroused particular concerns in Europe because of his key role as an architect of the war in Iraq.

http://www.thisislondon.com/news/business/articles/timid398981?source=

[ladjf]

42. The PNAC plan continues to move forward toward their

objectives.

[babylonsister]

44. We should all be very, very afraid.

Perhaps the Europeans can turn this ship around before it sinks.

[ladjf]

49. You are 100% correct!

[Norquist Nemesis]

43. It's an freaking unbelievable choice!

But, somehow, it doesn't surprise me. The gall and arrogance of Bush et al rises anxiety levels on a daily basis. It's a constant attack on this nation and the world at large.

[emad]

45. Gall & arrogance: directly proportional to stupidity/overconfidence?

Biggest threat to Bush/Cheney political career is the resumption of the Rome murder trial of "God's Banker" Roberto Calvi.


That's why he has needed Poodle to take care of whitewashing/destroying all the UK-held intelligence/evidence against him.

Aintgottaprayer....

[ladjf]

50. It's totally logical from a PNAC point of view.

[stubertmcfly]

46. you can add my name...

...to the "outraged" column. yet another ** crony promoted for inept job performance.

[emad]

47. Glad that the UK press is saying it like it is...

All UK Tv reports on this last night - BBC, ITV. Sky etc - commented on the baffling nature of the appointment and showed interviews with leading UK critics of the nomination...

[Hobarticus]

51. I really believe this is part of scheme to get us tossed out...

of both the UN and the World Bank.

It'd be one thing if they were just incompetent (a la Condi), but both Wolfowitz and Bolton are very publicly incompetent, if not downright belligerent.

By putting total assclowns in representative roles, are they challenging these bodies to toss us?

[peacetalksforall]

52. Maybe there is some good to come of this as Spiffarino mentions...

If Europe goes along with this madnut...

perhaps the standing of the World Bank will be diminished in the eyes of those who aren't quite sure what it does and hold it in a higher esteem than is justified.

perhaps the nations who have been 'directed' by the World Bank can grow their own version.

Possible?

[Carl Yasutomo]

54. Well duh, Bush talks nice but his actions always show what a

true asshole he is. Compassionate conservatism, just plain folks, aw shucks, etc. etc. Then turn around and slash services for the poor, torture Arabs, kill 100,000 Iraqis, lie to the nation about WMD, promote the liars and thieves in his administration to higher posts (Sec of State, Ambassador to UN, etc.), and on and on.

You would think after several years of this, people would finally catch on and stop being shocked when Bush's actions don't match up with his flowery, feel-good rhetoric.

[moondust]

55. The architect of Hitler's invasion of Poland

should probably get some kind of posthumous honor as well, no?

[emad]

56. "Poodle Brothers nominate Big Bad Wolf for top Bank Job":

http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s1i7689