Africa/Global: Wolfowitz era begins: Realpolitik 1, Democracy 0

Paul Wolfowitz' nomination as World Bank president was approved by the board 31 March. The approval was a formality after the controversial architect of the war in Iraq received the support of EU countries at a meeting of ministers in Brussels the previous day. Mr Wolfowitz will take over from departing president James Wolfensohn on 1 June. Fears are that Wolfowitz will roll back environmental and social safeguards and push an aggressive programme of liberalisation and privatisation. Peter Bosshard of International Rivers Network expects "more failed privatisations, more corporate welfare, more subsidies for big dams and oil pipelines", according to a report from the Bretton Woods Project, an organisation that monitors the Bretton Woods Institutions.