Wolfowitz Prefers Deep Water to Bush Administration Life Boat

May 17 (EIRNS)--The Washington Post reported today, that the Bush Administration tried to work out a compromise yesterday, such that the Bank's Executive Board would issue a statement declaring that Wolfowitz had mishandled the substantial raise for his girlfriend, but that the Bank's ethics committee was partly to blame for giving him unclear advice on the matter. Wolfowitz then, according to the plan, would leave the Bank some months later.

Wolfowitz, through his attorney, declared that solution unacceptable; he requires a statement that says absolutely that he's done nothing wrong. The Bank's executive board also rejected the proposal, insisting that Wolfowitz face consequences for breaking ethics rules and undermining the reputation of the bank. The board adjourned before a vote could be taken, reportedly on the motion of the U.S. representative on the board.

The repercussions of the controversy continue. Wolfowitz has cancelled a trip to Slovenia to attend a development event, and Germany's Development Minister Wieczorek-Zeul disinvited him from a Berlin meeting next week to discuss Africa, saying that Wolfowitz "would do a good service to the bank if he were to resign."