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June 11, 2007

World Bank Nominee Zoellick in Europe After Africa Trip
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=17C9281:A6F02AD83191E1603E7E5531341431DE9574F7DCC14957C0 Robert Zoellick
said that during five days of meetings on the continent African
officials and aid workers voiced concerns about job creation, energy,
health and education President Bush's nominee to be the next head of
the World Bank is on a three-continent trip aimed at familiarizing
himself with some of the Bank's financiers and customers. Robert
Zoellick is in Europe after visiting three African countries last
week. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from Johannesburg.







Incoming World Bank president Robert Zoellick addresses a press
conference in Pretoria, 09 June 2007The U.S. choice to be the next
head of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, concluded the Africa leg of
his trip in South Africa. He said that during five days of meetings on
the continent African officials and aid workers voiced concerns about
job creation, energy, health and education.

"There is a combination here [in Africa] of focus on infrastructure
development to create foundations for growth, social investment and
attention to overcoming poverty, but doing so in a way that also
creates broad based, sustainable economic growth and investment
through the private sector," he said.

Zoellick acknowledged complaints by some African leaders that World
Bank loans are hampered by too many restrictions. But he said some
conditions are necessary to ensure responsible lending. He praised
what he called a new generation of African leaders who are taking
responsibility for their countries.

Zoellick said he found a strong consensus on the link between economic
growth and peace and security. Other common themes were promoting good
governance and fighting corruption.

Zoellick noted that the world is increasingly focused on global
security, politics and economics, but said trade and cooperation with
specific regions and countries remain important.

"You have to sort of think globally but act locally," he said. "And in
that sense, the real key is developing these partnerships whether it
be with Africa or with China."

Zoellick flew to South Africa after visiting Ghana, where he met with
West African officials and aid organizations, and Ethiopia where he
met with officials of the African Union.

Zoellick, a former U.S. trade representative who is currently a
vice-chairman of a Wall Street investment firm, was nominated to
replace Paul Wolfowitz.

Wolfowitz is due to step down on June 30. He resigned as World Bank
president after its board of governors determined he had violated Bank
rules by approving a large pay raise for an employee with whom he was
in a romantic relationship.


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