Day By Day

Thursday, March 10, 2005

World Bank President Update

Reuters reports:

By Lesley Wroughton

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Bono won't be saving the world at the helm of the World Bank.

The lobby group co-founded by the Irish band U2's lead singer on Thursday knocked down media reports that he was a serious contender to head the global institution that provides billions of dollars annually to help the world's poorest countries.

"I can't believe I need to say this, but there are no circumstances in which Bono would be nominated or accept the World Bank job," said Jamie Drummond, executive director of DATA -- or Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa -- for which Bono campaigns to raise awareness of Africa's problems.


I have been hearing rumors about Bono's appointment for several weeks now, but never took them seriously. This is the sort of stuff publicity agents crank out. The reason we have silly speculation like this is that current World Bank President, James Wolfensohn, announced his impending retirement several months ago and the Bush Administration, for some reason, has not yet named his successor. Wolfensohn is scheduled to leave in little more than two months. It's time to name someone to replace him. Get with it guys. President of the World Bank is an important position.

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