WB directors to interview Zoellick

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WASHINGTON, June 19 (AFP): The World Bank's executive directors yesterday invited former US trade chief Robert Zoellick, the sole candidate to head the poverty-fighting institution, for an interview Wednesday.
US President George W Bush last month picked Zoellick, 53, a former US trade representative and deputy secretary of state, to succeed bank Paul Wolfowitz, who was forced to resign in a favouritism scandal.
In a statement, the Bank's directors said they "have decided to invite the nominee to an informal meeting on June 20, to discuss key issues of interest to the World Bank group, including the challenges of development, the World Bank group's governance and leadership as well as future strategic directions."
After the Wednesday meeting "and follow-up interactions and consultations with their respective authorities," the Bank directors "intend to meet again on June 25, 2007 to decide on the presidency of the Bank," the statement said.