Jakarta welcomes Wolfowitz' appointment as World Bank chief

The Jakarta Post Jakarta

Private sectors as well as the government welcomed on Friday the appointment of U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz as the new president of the World Bank, saying his background as a former ambassador to the country would help him to focus more on developing countries.

James T. Riady, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) for banking and finance, told The Jakarta Post that Wolfowitz' appointment would be an advantage for the world's largest Muslim country.

"During his tenure in Indonesia, Wolfowitz was known for his passion for the local culture and he built a wide network here," he said.

Wolfowitz served as U.S. ambassador to Indonesia during president Ronald Reagan's government from 1986 to 1989.

James said Wolfowitz' personal experience in Indonesia was expected to give the World Bank a certain focus on the country.

In the near future, he predicted, the World Bank would have to focus on the three giants: China, India and Indonesia.

However, James said there were possible concerns about Wolfowitz' involvement in the Iraq war.

"He might have more focus on the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, considering what the U.S. had done in there," he said.

Separately, John Prasetio, Kadin deputy chairman for international economic cooperation, shared James' view, saying that Wolfowitz knew Indonesia well.

"It's a positive thing. He knows Indonesia, thus it will be an advantage for the country," he said.

The government also supported the appointment.

"Wolfowitz is not a new man for Indonesia. He has many friends here and a lot of knowledge about Indonesia," foreign ministry spokesman Yuri Thamrin said.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie said Wolfowitz' link with Indonesia would help the country deal with the World Bank.

While Minister of Finance Yusuf Anwar expressed hope that under Wolfowitz' chairmanship the World Bank would support developing countries and would give more facilities to Indonesia.

The World Bank's 24-member board unanimously approved Wolfowitz as its new president on Thursday, affirming the U.S. administration's choice of a Bush loyalist to take the helm of the 184-nation development bank.

Wolfowitz will begin his five-year term on June 1.

"Nothing is more gratifying than being able to help people in need and developing opportunities for all the people of the world to achieve their full potential," he was quoted as saying by AP.

Human rights activists in Indonesia had previously voiced criticism for Wolfowitz' candidacy. They said the former ambassador never spoke out publicly against former president Soeharto regime's violent abuses or endemic corruption.