[mgj-discuss] Benn calls for reform of World Bank and IMF

[Morrigan Phillips]

This is an interesting article from the Guardian (UK). It interesting 
at least to hear a high level British politico talking about this 
stuff. Enjoy,
Morrigan

Benn calls for reform of World Bank and IMF
Oliver King
Tuesday March 14 2006
The Guardian


The international development secretary, Hilary Benn, has called on 
Europe and the United States to relinquish their hold on the 
presidencies of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

In a speech to aid workers and MPs today, Mr Benn said that 
international institutions, including the United Nations needed to 
better reflect the current world rather than the post-1945 
international settlement.

The development secretary questioned the US-European deal whereby an 
American is in charge of one institution, currently Paul Wolfowitz, the 
neo-conservative former deputy US defence secretary, is in charge at 
the World Bank while a European, Rodrigo de Rato is managing director 
of the IMF.

"Perhaps we should move towards a rules and merit-based process for 
appointing the senior management of all the international financial 
institutions," said Mr Benn.

"Is it really acceptable that the presidencies of the World Bank and 
the IMF should be restricted to European and US nationals respectively, 
because of a cosy deal made 60 years ago?"

He warned his audience in the Commons committee room that without the 
reform other countries, particularly those in Asia and south America, 
would walk away from the institutions.

Mr Benn also attacked the United Nations for waste and duplication and 
demanded changes to the way the UN was managed.

He cited the examples of Vietnam, where 11 different UN agencies 
administered 2% of the country's aid, and Zanzibar, where 20 separate 
UN agencies operate in a country of only 1 million people.

"If we think again of what reforms would best improve the UN's role at 
country level, then it would seem obvious that this must mean 
implementing the principles of four ones: one UN office, one UN 
representative, one programme and budget, and one funding mechanism."

"But without change at the centre this reform will be hopeless," he added

Mr Benn's speech was billed by DFID officials as a indication of 
government's thinking ahead of an official development white paper 
later this summer.

Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited



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