 Seeking to shore up the fledgling peace process between the Palestinians and Israel, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday announced the appointment of outgoing World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn to oversee the crucial nonmilitary components of Israel's impending withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank. In his new role, Wolfensohn will help coordinate the disposition of homes and other assets that will remain when Israeli settlers and troops pull out of Gaza in the summer. He also will work to revive the economy in Gaza, a desolate enclave that is home to more than a third of the Palestinian territories' population of 3.8 million. |