Bush insider nominated to head World Bank

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The United States has nominated former trade representative and Deputy Secretary of State, Robert Zoellick, to become President of the World Bank, an international organisation designed to eliminate poverty.

Mr Zoellick will succeed Paul Wolfowitz, who steps down at the end of June following a scandal involving a pay deal for his partner.

Mr Zoellick has worked in various capacities for several US Presidents such as Ronald Reagan, George H Bush and George W Bush.
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His opposition to 'nation building' as a foreign policy put him at odds with neo-cons like Mr Wolfowitz.

However, Mr Wolfowitz and Mr Zoellick did co-sign a 1998 letter to then President Bill Clinton calling for the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

They also served together in the informal group headed up by Condoleezza Rice known as the 'Vulcans' which advised George Bush on foreign policy during his first campaign.

Last year, Mr Zoellick stepped down from his job as Deputy Secretary of State to join the investment bank Goldman Sachs.

At the State Department, he tried to negotiate a peace deal in Darfur and worked to improve US relations with China.

From 2001 to 2005 he served as the US Trade Representative and was centrally involved in talks to lower tariffs and to bring China and Taiwan into the World Trade Organisation.

His name was mentioned early on as a replacement during the crisis which engulfed the World Bank.

The US traditionally nominates the head of the World Bank, however the bank's board must approve the appointment.

A formal announcement is expected today.