(April 17, 2007) Since its creation in 1944, the World Bank has become the world’s leading architect of Third World corruption. In the Third World countries themselves, the World Bank has created hundreds of state-owned enterprises and then lavished them with money, requiring their officials to subject themselves neither to public oversight nor the bank’s own scrutiny. Among the Western suppliers to these corrupt state corporations, the bank awarded billions of dollars in contracts, again without public oversight or bank scrutiny, let alone market discipline.
Wolfowitz deflects questions about role in scandal
(April 15, 2007) As the World Bank handed out a communiqué that talked about "transparency" and "equity," beleaguered Bank President Paul Wolfowitz deflected a barrage of questions from journalists seeking more information about allegations of nepotism involving a Bank employee who is personally involved with him.
For the record
(April 14, 2007) Direct quotes contained in documents released by the World Bank on April 12 regarding the personnel case involving Shaha Riza.
World Bank Staff Association remarks
(April 12, 2007) Paul Wolfowitz “must acknowledge that his conduct has compromised the integrity and effectiveness of the World Bank Group and has destroyed the staff’s trust in his leadership. He must act honorably and resign.” World Bank
Second statement by Paul Wolfowitz on the pay and promotion of Shaha Riza
(April 12, 2007) “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.” World Bank
Documentation released by Paul Wolfowitz relating to the case concerning Shaha Riza
(April 12, 2007) Documentation released by the Office of Paul Wolfowitz in response to questions about the personnel case involving Shaha Riza.
Lesotho judge ups fine for dam bribery
(April 11, 2007) There is a wall of silence that is very difficult to penetrate. Everyone who is in a position to talk cannot do so because someone else in turn has something on him," said prosecutor Guido Penzhorn.
First statement by Paul Wolfowitz on the pay and promotion of Shaha Riza
(April 9, 2007) Paul Wolfowitz claims he 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 Shaha Riza in an “exceptional and unprecedented situation.” World Bank
External assignment of Shaha Riza
(April 1, 2007) World Bank documents regarding an alleged conflict of interest on the part of World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz in relation to Shaha Riza, a former staff member and personal companion […]
Bank Information Center
(April 1, 2007) An independent multilateral bank watchdog presents its monitor of news and opinion on the Paul Wolfowitz debate.
World Bank anti-corruption drive blunted as China threatens to halt loans
(March 27, 2007) China, the World Bank’s second-biggest customer, warned that it might halt future borrowings if Paul Wolfowitz did not rein in the Bank’s anti-corruption investigative practices.
Transparency International should highlight tax havens
(March 22, 2007) The annual global graft ranking by Transparency International has come under fire for not including tax havens in its survey. The Norwegian aid journal, Development Today, reports that the international NGO Tax Justice Network (TJN) has called on Transparency International to rate tax havens as highly, if not higher, than bribery in terms of impact because developing countries lose more in revenue this way than from bribery.
Iraqi anti-corruption head says graft worse than in Saddam’s time
(March 8, 2007) Corruption in Iraq is now worse than it was during Saddam Hussein’s regime, the Chairman of Iraq’s Commission on Public Integrity (CPI), Radhi Hamza al-Radhi, said in an interview published by the Arabic-language Asharq Alawsat newspaper. "There are eight ministers and 40 general directors against whom corruption charges have been brought and they [have] all fled abroad," he said.
Amnesty needed for U.K. firms caught in corruption crackdown
(March 26, 2007) British businesses caught by the current round of anti-corruption investigations in the U.K. are in need of an amnesty arrangement, says global construction trade magazine, International Construction Review.
Zambia: Let the looters pay the vultures
(February 28, 2007) A recent British high court ruling that permits a so-called "vulture fund" to pursue an enormous profit on its purchase of Third World debt from Zambia has provoked a backlash from global debt campaigners. However, U.S. law professor Larry Cata Backer argues that, within an odious debts context, the fund ought to be able to seek repayment but not from the people of Zambia.
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