BRUSSELS, March 30 (UPI) -- The European Union gave its approval Wednesday to Paul Wolfowitz, the controversial Pentagon figure, to become the next head of the World Bank.
The approval follows a last-minute charm offensive by Wolfowitz, who promised to give the EU more influence at the bank, and is expected to smooth the way for his approval Thursday by the development agency's board, the Times of London said.
Wolfowitz was nominated by President Bush as the U.S. choice to replace James Wolfensohn as head of the world's biggest international financial aid agency. Wolfowitz' nomination has proved controversial particularly in light of his role in planning the U.S. invasion of Iraq two years ago.
In a statement released after his meeting with the Europeans, Wolfowitz said he would work closely not only with the bank's staff members, but also with global leaders as well as the non-governmental organizations to further economic development in poor countries.
Wolfensohn is expected to depart the World Bank June 1.
