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Wolfowitz Apologizes, His Job in Jeopardy

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 01:46:00 AM EST
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Here are Paul Wolfowitz' remarks at the World Bank Forum yesterday. He eats some crow and admits making a mistake in pushing the promotion and giving of a huge pay raise to his girlfriend.

In hindsight, I wish I had trusted my original instincts and kept myself out of the negotiations. I made a mistake for which I am sorry.

But let me also ask for some understanding. Not only was this a painful personal dilemma, but I had to deal with it when I was new to this institution, and I was trying to navigate in uncharted waters. The situation was unprecedented and exceptional. This was an involuntary reassignment, and I believed there was a legal risk to the institution if it was not solved by mutual agreement. I take full responsibility for the details of the agreement, and I did not attempt to hide my actions or to make anyone else responsible.

He may be fired, forced to resign or just severely rebuked.

More...

Then, there's the hypocrisy of it all:

World Bank embarrassment over the disclosures was compounded because Mr Wolfowitz has been criticised by campaigners after pushing good governance and anti-corruption efforts in poor nations to the top of the agenda of the world’s most important development institution.

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    Wolfowitz Apologizes, His Job in Jeopardy | 9 comments (9 topical)

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    Now this is someone I would love to see fired. n/t (none / 0) (#1)
    by dkmich on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 08:14:48 AM EST


    What does (none / 0) (#2)
    by ding7777 on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 08:37:44 AM EST
    This was an involuntary reassignment
    mean?  Did Shaha Riza already work at the World Bank? Were the other officials set to reassign or demote her only because Wolfowitz join the WB?

    It's in the articles (none / 0) (#3)
    by eric on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 09:47:01 AM EST
    Riza worked at the World Bank.  Wolfy was sent over to head the World Bank.  He could not, however, be her boss because she was his girlfriend.  So, she got assigned over to State.

    The PROBLEM is that he then sent a memo that got here a HUGE raise that put her salary above even the Sec. of State.  She would have been entitled to a $20K raise, but he ordered that she be given a $61,000 raise, overall.

    Parent

    How (none / 0) (#6)
    by ding7777 on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 10:19:48 AM EST
    much would it have cost the WB had she sued because of an involuntary re-assignment?

    Parent
    APOLOGIZE HELL...WAT (none / 0) (#4)
    by Electa on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 09:51:27 AM EST
    MISTAKE?  Is he really trying to convince people that hiring his mistress was an unknowing mistake?  It didn't become a mistake until he got busted.  Was his pitching for a 200K$ salary a mistake?  Then too boot he has the audacity to present mitigating circumstances (lame excuses)and ask for understanding.  Of what?  Corruption?  The same rules that applied to Imus should apply to the Wolf...FIRE his behind.

    Wonder what rehab clinic will he hide under.

    No (none / 0) (#7)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 12:31:00 PM EST
     
    Is he really trying to convince people that hiring his mistress was an unknowing mistake?

    No.  He did not hire her.  She already worked at the bank.  

    Parent

    Uhhh ... (none / 0) (#8)
    by Sailor on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 07:28:51 PM EST
    ... wolfie then mandated she be given a raise, work for the US State Dept but still be paid by the World Bank.

    Gee, in most companies, the folks who pay you are the ones that you work for. World Bank pays her, she works for them.

    Parent

    cheap insurance (none / 0) (#9)
    by Abdul Abulbul Amir on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 09:04:35 PM EST

    Well she got a raise, but the WB avoided a wrongful termination law suit.  It seems to be on the up and up.

    Parent
    What??? (none / 0) (#5)
    by desertswine on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 10:02:04 AM EST
    You mean Wolfowitz can't be trusted?

    ...a painful personal dilemma

    He didn't have any personal dilemmas when it came to taking the lives of thousands of innocent Iraqis. What a scumbag.

    Wolfowitz Apologizes, His Job in Jeopardy | 9 comments (9 topical)

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