Bush: US to work with Wolfowitz against poverty

WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush on Thursday vowed to work with new World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz to fight world poverty.
"The president looks forward to working with president-designate Wolfowitz and World Bank member countries to advance the fight against global poverty, promote development and meet the International Development Goals of the Millennium Declaration," said a White House statement issued after Wolfowitz was named as the bank's new leader.
"The mission of the World Bank is of vital importance to our country and the world, as this year's focus on development and accelerating action in Africa by the Group of Eight and the UN highlights," added the statement.
Wolfowitz was US deputy defence secretary before being nominated for the World Bank job. Some criticism has been expressed because of his hardline views and support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

03/31/2005 20:35 GMT