Despite Criticism, Wolfowitz Hangs Tough At World Bank

World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz is hanging tough in the face of growing internal criticism over his management style and his role in giving a pay raise and promotion to his companion, Shaha Riza.

"He doesn't strike me as a guy who resigns easily," says one bank insider. "He feels he hasn't done anything wrong."

The bank's 24-member executive board is scheduled to hold what insiders describe as an "informal" meeting this afternoon, April 26, to discuss Wolfowitz's future. Eckhard Deutscher, the executive director from Germany, will chair the session.

Few at the bank expect the board to run Wolfowitz out, although his highly publicized anticorruption program--which has alienated some staffers and board members--is likely to suffer if he survives the current firestorm. In the end, says the bank insider, "If he stays on and can't raise sufficient funds to aid the poor, then the board might move against him."

Wolfowitz, who helped plan the Bush administration's war in Iraq, has been a controversial figure since he took over the bank presidency two years ago.

By Edward T. Pound