Contacts :
In Washington: Geetanjali Chopra (202) 473-0243
gchopra@worldbank.org Washington DC, April 9, 2007— Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, issued the following statement to World Bank staff today- “Dear Colleagues: Over the past few weeks, information regarding the external assignment of a World Bank staff member has raised concerns among some of you about upholding Bank Group rules regarding the rights, obligations, and fair treatment of all employees. I would like to assure the staff that I have always acted to uphold these rules to the best of my ability, and I will continue to do so. The case of the staff member mentioned prompted me to seek the advice of the Board of Executive Directors upon my arrival at the Bank. I subsequently acted on the advice of the Board’s Ethics Committee to work out an agreement that balanced the interests of the institution and the rights of the staff member in an exceptional and unprecedented situation. Just as one example, a normal external assignment is voluntary and for a maximum of three years, but this one was involuntary and for the length of my service. As President of this institution, I accept full responsibility for the actions taken in this case. I have already indicated to the Board my intention to cooperate fully in their review of the details of the case. In particular, I will ensure that the Board has access to the facts in this case, in a manner that also respects the Bank’s rules concerning the right of every staff member to the confidentiality of his or her records. What remains of the utmost importance to me is the protection of the interests of this institution as a whole, and our need to remain focused on our agenda of helping the world’s poor.” ### |
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