LONDON - British Prime Minister Tony Blair was informed by the Americans of their intention to nominate Paul Wolfowitz to head the World Bank, but he chose not to inform his European partners, The Financial Times newspaper reported Saturday.
Blair was "sounded out" by Washington about Wolfowitz, US deputy defense secretary and one of the key architects of the Iraq war, and the British leader let it be known "that he would not oppose" the nomination, the FT said.
The Wolfowitz candidacy came up during a visit last month to London by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, according to two top US officials close to the situation, the newspaper said.
Blair chose to keep the proposed candidacy a secret from his own finance minister, Gordon Brown, who is involved in development issues, and from the leaders in other European capitals, to give US President George W. Bush "discreet support" and the confidence of knowing that he "would not face united opposition" in Europe, the FT said.
When finally announced, Wolfowitz's nomination drew criticism for his neoconservative views and support for the Iraq war.
A source close to the European Union said Friday that Wolfowitz would meet European leaders before March 31, when directors meet to elect a new World Bank president.
The United States has, by informal agreement, named heads of the World Bank, while Europeans have named heads of the International Monetary Fund.
03/26/2005 15:34 GMT