World
Bank President Paul Wolfowitz is leaving the international organization in the
wake of wide-ranging scandals based on multiple releases of documents over the
last two months by the GAP.
GAP has released evidence or exposed information showing: that Wolfowitz’s
companion, Shaha Riza, received salary raises far in excess of those allowable
under Bank rules; that Riza received a questionable consulting position with a
U.S. defense contractor in 2003 at his direction that has resulted in State and
Defense Department inquiries; that Juan José Daboub, Bank Managing Director and
Wolfowitz-hire, attempted to remove references and funding for “family
planning” in Bank projects; that Wolfowitz’ office was responsible for weakening
a “climate change” strategy document; that Bank Senior Management delayed
reporting to Bank staff that a fellow staffer had been seriously wounded in a
shooting in Iraq; that World Bank lending to Africa during Fiscal Year of 2007
has plummeted; and that Wolfowitz was trying to broaden the Bank’s portfolio in
Iraq over Board opposition.
Commenting on the protracted Wolfowitz fiasco, GAP International Director Bea
Edwards said that the Bank needs basic internal governance reforms to ensure
that situations like this never occur again: “The Bank must establish
whistleblower protections to address internal corruption effectively and
expediently. An internal justice system must be established.”
For the past six months, World Bank staffers have been sending GAP
incriminating documents anonymously, instead of taking allegations of
corruption to internal authorities. Because the Bank has no reliable means of
protecting whistleblowers from retaliation, staffers who witness ongoing
malfeasance could do little internally without risking their jobs and careers.
The Bank hearings convened to resolve the Wolfowitz affair showed urgent need
for a whistleblower protection policy. The Vice President for Human Resources,
Xavier Cole, explained his position in the negotiations that resulted in
improper raises for the Bank president’s companion: “I’ve been asked to do
something that is outside the rules. I feel very uncomfortable about it. What
is my protection, the protection of HR [Human Resources], and the institution
regarding this, because it is important?”
The Vice President was not protected and could not report Wolfowitz’ misconduct
to anyone safely. If he had been able to, it is possible that Wolfowitz’ and
Riza’s efforts to maximize their benefits at the expense of the Bank and in
violation of its rules would have been thwarted.
Added GAP Communications Director Dylan Blaylock: “There was no way Wolfowitz
could have continued on as World Bank President. He and his associates have
been caught repeatedly misleading Bank staff and the media. His credibility was
shot.”
-- Dylan Blaylock
Thank you Guys. Too bad you can't do the same thing for the UN. They need some very deep clean-up in NYC and around the World.
Posted by: YUL | May 17, 2007 at 07:11 PM