WASHINGTON, May 24 (UPI) -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick is looking at other options including Wall Street investment banks, reports the Financial Times.
Quoting people close to the Bush administration, the newspaper said Zoellick had hoped to replace Treasury Secretary John Snow, whose departure also has been rumored about. Zoellick was the U.S. Trade Representative during U.S. President George Bush's first term.
The Times quoted a friend of Zoellick that the secretary had told the White House in February of his intention to leave. However, those plans were delayed because of his involvement in the Darfur peace talks, the report said.
The report also quoted two people close to the administration that Zoellick had been talking with investment banks. His friend said Zoellick had talked to Merrill Lynch, but both Merrill and Zoellick's office declined comment.
The Times said Zoellick's departure would lead to speculation that some other candidate has been chosen to replace Snow.
