Jakarta welcomes Wolfowitz' appointment as World Bank chief

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.