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EU wants hearing with Wolfowitz
Chest Thumping from Old Europe, Act CXVII, Via Drudge...The European Union wants an opportunity to hear US nominee for World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz to quiz him on his views of how he would run the key development institution, EU ministers said. And this is your perogative in what way? EU finance ministers discussed Wolfowitz's controversial nomination by US President George W. Bush over dinner at the start of a summit of the 25-member bloc's leaders Brussels. Over dinner? Five-star restaurant, maybe? Where's Kofi's invitation? Austria's Karl-Heinz Grasser, asked if Wolfowitz could present his views to the next meeting of EU finance ministers scheduled for April 11-12, said that would be too late. It's too late, baby now, it's too late... "We need to hear from him on a European level before then. A European level? Puhleeeze, you pompous windbag... We need to know his basic position on the (UN) millennium development goals, and his view of how he would lead the World Bank," he said after the dinner. Damn! Missed the dinner. Guess there's no need to go now! German Finance Minister Hans Eichel -- whose boss Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has already given the thumbs-up to the deputy US defense secretary -- said that nevertheless more talks were needed. Talking's what you knobs know best, isn't it? "He's a high level candidate, but there needs to be more discussions before" his election, said Eichel. Talk & discuss all you want. Wolfie's actually going to accomplish things. Wolfowitz's nomination to head the key global development-funding institution has prompted a cool reaction in some quarters in Brussels, while aid groups have voiced dismay and some puzzlement. Translation - the spigot's about to be turned off. Belgian Didier Reynders told AFP that the EU has no single view on Wolfowitz, but indicated it could work towards a position once he had presented his plans. How about your plans first? This is why these guys are completely worthless; they're lining up Wolfie for endless criticism. "It will be from that that we will take a position, but there is no definitive position at all," he said. I've got a position for you... Posted by: Raj 2005-03-22 |
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