At The World Bank, and In Lebanon

The announcement yesterday by US president George W. Bush of his replacement for Mr. Paul D. Wolfowitz at the World Bank may not be the last word that the world will hear in the days ahead about that multi-lateral lending institution, its activities, and governance. The fact that the man, Mr. Robert B. Zoellick, who will replace Mr. Wolfowitz was a principal in the Bush administration during the first term, might still raise a red flag in some quarters where the concern over the radical rightist ideological positions of the Bush presidency is strongest. People, particularly in Europe and at the Bank who hold such concerns may not deem it prudent at this point to express it.

The fact that Mr. Bush and his advisers would still find it difficult to reach beyond the inner circles of their administration to select Mr. Wolfowitz’s replacement even after the turmoil that embroiled his brief stint at the Bank might still be another big cause for worry amongst some of the Bank’s employees, and others elsewhere. Their preference could not have stemmed from the lack of competent Americans who are not directly associated with the Bush White House. There’s certainly an ideological streak to it. In which case, some people would rightly wonder why ideological posturing is more important to the Bush administration than far-reaching and concrete achievements that could stand the test of time at the Bank and in the poor parts of the world where it funds and oversees different projects. The degree to which Mr. Zoellick will attain a successful tour at the Bank will depend a lot on how he plays his hands ideologically. From his initial interviews to reporters, it does seem like he will try to dust up some of the China issues he pursued during his tour as US trade representative. If he does, it will not be lost on the Chinese that his quest will be to check-mate their growing economic reach in the world, but it will still be up to the Chinese to deal with that if and when he gets on their case. He may not get into trouble at the Bank over that. But he will definitely get into trouble if and when he decides to act with imperial impunity.

The approval yesterday at the UN Security Council of a resolution that will establish an international tribunal, which will try those who have been implicated in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister, Mr. Rafik Hariri may likely over-heat politics in Lebanon further. Abstention by China,Russia, Qatar, South Africa, and Indonesia from supporting that resolution and the clarifying statement released by their ambassadors on their countries' decision are proofs of that assertion. The question that must be raised at this time is: Would such over-heating further US interests in Lebanon and the Middle East at this time? Mr. Hariri’s assassination is a cowardly and unconscionable act, but the quest to prosecute those who have been implicated in his assassination right now might not even yield much particularly in a situation that Syria has continued to deny its involvement. They could still be prosecuted, but at a later time.