Iraq War's Architect Apologizes in Salary Scandal
Iraq War's Architect Apologizes in Salary Scandal
Former White House Defense Deputy Helped Girlfriend up Salary Scale
By JAKE TAPPER
April 12, 2007 — - In paper, audio and streaming video statements, World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz apologized Thursday for his role in helping his girlfriend Shaha Ali Riza secure a lucrative job at the State Department, for which she is said to be paid even more than Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
"I made a mistake, for which I am sorry," said the controversial Wolfowitz, a former deputy Secretary of Defense who was one of the main architect's of the current war in Iraq. "In hindsight, I wish I had trusted my original instincts and kept myself out of the negotiations."
World Bank Weighs Wolfowitz's Fate
The timing of Wolfowitz's announcement was not coincidental; World Bank delegates are convening in Washington, D.C., this weekend for annual meetings. The World Bank board met Thursday to discuss Wolfowitz's fate, though it reportedly adjourned without reaching a decision.
His apology was apparently not enough for the World Bank Group Staff Association, which issued a statement saying 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."
Girlfriend's Pay Exceeded Secretary Rice's Salary
A copy of payroll data from the World Bank showing Riza's raises obtained by the Government Accountability Project, or GAP, indicate that Riza, a communications officer, received a $47,300 (35.5 percent) raise (to $180,000) after Wolfowitz arrived at the World Bank in 2005.
Once the relationship between Wolfowitz and Riza, who are both divorced, was made public in September 2005, Riza was assigned to work at the State Department, though she continued to draw a salary from the World Bank.
In 2006 Riza received a $13,590 (7.5 percent) raise (to $193,590). According to GAP, World Bank staff rules would cap her raise percentage increases at 12 percent and 3.7 percent. Riza's current salary, $193,590, is approximately $7,000 more than what Rice earns.
Wolfowitz has helmed the World Bank since 2005, and has made rooting out corruption in developing nations one of his clarion calls.
"It's ironic that Mr. Wolfowitz lectures developing countries about good governance and fighting corruption, while winking at an irregular promotion and overly generous pay increases to a partner," said Bea Edwards, GAP international director.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3035456&page=1
There is transparency in the system, or this type of thing would never be exposed. It'll be interesting how the MSM plays this from here on out."It's ironic that Mr. Wolfowitz lectures developing countries about good governance and fighting corruption, while winking at an irregular promotion and overly generous pay increases to a partner,"
The transparancey in the system arises from Wolfowitz's political enemies finding the dirt on him just before his reappointment. It would not be a coincidence.
World Bank employees are also exempt from income tax under international treaty...not bad at all.
There's an old joke from the World Bank, I made up a few things for missing memory, goes something like this...
"Two diplomats, one from Durkistania and one from Africa. The one from Durkistania invited his counterpart from Africa to visit his country. They went on a tour of the capital city and the diplomat from Durkistania said, "See that bridge over there, I got money from the World Bank to build it, I get 25% kick back from that."
African diplomat reply, "Oh, nicely done, you should come to my country and I show you my bridge."
So a while later, both diplomats are in the African country, they went on a similar tour of the capital, the African diplomat said, "See that bridge over there?"
Durkistania's diplomat reply, "What bridge?"
African diplomat, "Exactly! I get 100% kick back."
Frankly, the culture at the World Bank has turn into nothing more than that of dealer and junkie, the junkie being most poor developing countries and the drug, ironically, the aid money that flow limitlessly into those countries with no improvements in return.
good job. his punishment is a slap on the wrist ... they'll just scale it down to what is more appropriate. With parallel reasoning, a regular employee woulda been fired. Forget "resigning" to save face... just fire him. I won't be sorry to use him as a scrapegoat to other corrupt politicians.
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