Zoellick Debuts As Bank Nominee

Robert B. Zoellick, with President Bush, speaks at the White House about his nomination to the World Bank presidency. (By Charles Dharapak -- Associated Press)

Robert B. Zoellick, freshly anointed by President Bush as his choice to lead the World Bank, yesterday spoke in conciliatory tones about healing the rifts left from the tenure of the previous appointee, Paul D. Wolfowitz.

"The World Bank has passed through a difficult time for all involved," Zoellick said at a morning announcement at the White House. "There are frustrations, anxieties, and tensions about the past that could inhibit the future. This is understandable but not without remedy. We need to put yesterday's discord behind us and to focus on the future together."

Zoellick, a former U.S. trade representative and deputy secretary of state, said he would spend the coming weeks sounding out bank staff, development experts and governments around the world on what the World Bank should focus on, while courting support.

"I need to learn more," Zoellick said, adding that he hoped to "build consensus about the direction of the institution."

Zoellick also said he would lead the bank as an internationalist. "I'm pleased and proud to be an American, but it's a different role in an international institution," he said.

Early indications were that Zoellick's nomination had eased tensions, with many world leaders expressing their support of it.

In Europe, where Wolfowitz and his role as a chief advocate for the Iraq war provoked hostility, many noted Zoellick's experience as a diplomat.

"I hope that Mr. Zoellick will reestablish -- or establish -- confidence," said French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.

Germany's development minister, Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, who had called for Wolfowitz's resignation and even uninvited him from a meeting to discuss Africa, praised Zoellick as "a good candidate who brings a large measure of international experience with him," according to Reuters.

African officials noted Zoellick's focus on their continent during his time at the State Department. But some African leaders, even while praising Zoellick, assailed the tradition under which the United States selects the World Bank president. Developing countries have long said the arrangement marginalizes their interests.

South Africa, which chairs a bloc of 20 industrial and emerging nations including Brazil, China, India and Russia, reiterated the group's calls that the next World Bank president be chosen not in deference to the White House, but in an open process.

By rule, Zoellick will be considered by the bank's executive board with any other nominees. By tradition, he is -- as the choice of the U.S. president -- the presumptive World Bank president. Senior bank officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly, said Zoellick's approval was all but certain.