Jakarta welcomes Wolfowitz' appointment as World Bank chief<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Private sectors as well as the government welcomed on Friday the
\nappointment of U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz as
\nthe new president of the World Bank, saying his background as a
\nformer ambassador to the country would help him to focus more on
\ndeveloping countries.<\/p>\n
James T. Riady, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of
\nCommerce and Industry (Kadin) for banking and finance, told The
\nJakarta Post that Wolfowitz' appointment would be an advantage
\nfor the world's largest Muslim country.<\/p>\n
\"During his tenure in Indonesia, Wolfowitz was known for his
\npassion for the local culture and he built a wide network here,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Wolfowitz served as U.S. ambassador to Indonesia during
\npresident Ronald Reagan's government from 1986 to 1989.<\/p>\n
James said Wolfowitz' personal experience in Indonesia was
\nexpected to give the World Bank a certain focus on the country.<\/p>\n
In the near future, he predicted, the World Bank would have to
\nfocus on the three giants: China, India and Indonesia.<\/p>\n
However, James said there were possible concerns about
\nWolfowitz' involvement in the Iraq war.<\/p>\n
\"He might have more focus on the Middle East, particularly in
\nIraq, considering what the U.S. had done in there,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, John Prasetio, Kadin deputy chairman for
\ninternational economic cooperation, shared James' view, saying
\nthat Wolfowitz knew Indonesia well.<\/p>\n
\"It's a positive thing. He knows Indonesia, thus it will be an
\nadvantage for the country,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The government also supported the appointment.<\/p>\n
\"Wolfowitz is not a new man for Indonesia. He has many friends
\nhere and a lot of knowledge about Indonesia,\" foreign ministry
\nspokesman Yuri Thamrin said.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie said
\nWolfowitz' link with Indonesia would help the country deal with
\nthe World Bank.<\/p>\n
While Minister of Finance Yusuf Anwar expressed hope that
\nunder Wolfowitz' chairmanship the World Bank would support
\ndeveloping countries and would give more facilities to Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The World Bank's 24-member board unanimously approved
\nWolfowitz as its new president on Thursday, affirming the U.S.
\nadministration's choice of a Bush loyalist to take the helm of
\nthe 184-nation development bank.<\/p>\n
Wolfowitz will begin his five-year term on June 1.<\/p>\n
\"Nothing is more gratifying than being able to help people in
\nneed and developing opportunities for all the people of the world
\nto achieve their full potential,\" he was quoted as saying by AP.<\/p>\n
Human rights activists in Indonesia had previously voiced
\ncriticism for Wolfowitz' candidacy. They said the former
\nambassador never spoke out publicly against former president
\nSoeharto regime's violent abuses or endemic corruption.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jakarta-welcomes-wolfowitz-appointment-as-world-bank-chief-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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