From: glevy@PRATT.EDU
Date: Fri May 18 2007 - 16:20:03 EDT
I understand that Wolfowitz resigned after all. There have been a
number of perspectives on this controversy put forward by Leftists,
but the most unusual one may be the one which was put forward by
Sidney Gluck. Sidney may be not be such a solitary figure - he may be
speaking for Beijing.
In solidarity, Jerry
---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Insight into Wolfowitx Controversy
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The newsprint and electronic reporting has been replete with stories about
Paul Wolfowitz none of which has brought to light the real controversy
between Wolfowitz and some of the old hands in the world capitalist
banking system. It was easy for someone to accuse the head of the World
Bank of favoring a "girlfriend." This is hardly a political event, nor
did some events much more egregious in male/female relations result in
any Senatorial presidential impeachment (you know what I'm referring to).
From that point on, it would appear that the European countries are
angling to name the next head of the World Bank, a position which has
been monopolized by the USA. Then it would appear that the European
countries pressured the USA to make some compromise to effect a
resignation and it looked as though that might happen until Condoleezza
Rice, in a more sober and non-pernicious statement, questioned the reason
members of the World Bank Board are so intent on Wolfowitz's ouster.
(Reference the attached New York Times article [which I deleted, JL] by
Steven R. Weisman titled, "Some Leeway for Wolfowitz, Who Gets a Good
Word from Rice" published online on May 10, 2007).
In truth, the real argument underneath all of this power play is
Mr.Wolfowitzs actions since 2005 in which he found reason to praise
China as being the most effective in eliminating poverty. In this
atmosphere, one recalls an incident during President Bush's Latin
American tour about a particular moment when Bush spoke in Columbia and
Chavez, simultaneously, in Uruguay. Chavez asked Bush, "Why can't you
mention my name?" He goes on to ask, "Since you've been President for
seven years, did you just learn of poverty in Latin America?"
The records show a progression of public statements by Mr. Wolfowitz
highly praising the Chinese for their real accomplishments in poverty
reduction. He was negotiating with the Chinese to establish a system of
loans to help the strengthening of China's economically backward west.
We list quotations from his public statements beginning in April 1, 2005
and continuing through October 14, 2005:
* "The goal of poverty reduction is as valid in China as it is
elsewhere . . . I am prepared to listen and prepared to be an
international civil servant." ("World Bank to Work with China to Cut
Poverty: Wolfowitz." People's Daily Online. April 1, 2005)
* "There are nearly 200 million people living in extreme poverty in
China in spite of enormous progress that has been made in the last 20
years . . . We're in the process of moving from China as a major
recipient of World Bank assistance to, at some point in the future,
probably China will become a significant donor to the World Bank."
("Wolfowitz: China Still Needs World Bank." China Economic Net. October
10, 2005)
* "China, as we all know, has been the fastest growing economy in
Asia for the past 20 years and has lifted more than 400 million
people above US$1 a day poverty levels in that time . . . And when we
talk of China these days, we tend to think only of Shanghai and
skyscrapers, of trade surpluses and rapid economic growth and above
all, of amazing poverty reduction . . . I am looking forward to
seeing firsthand how
China has tackled poverty on such a massive scale. I think the world has
a lot to learn from their experiences and I think the Bank can work with
China to share those lessons . . . Today people who make cars in Germany
or saris in India are equally challenged by China's rise. People who
export iron ore from Australia or Europeans who buy cheaper clothing
benefit from the effects of China's rapid growth and increased com
petitiveness. . . The country faces some important challenges, especially
in the areas of environment, natural resources, and climate change, on the
one hand, and with remaining poverty and growing inequality, on the other
. . . These issues all affect the sustainability for growth. China needs
more and better infrastructure to provide a framework for industry and to
keep the cities operating efficiently. It needs to deal with an ageing
population . . . It needs to continue moving - probably even more rapidly
- towards a more effective legal system and a better investment climate."
(Wolfowitz “ Viewing
China from Both Sides." WorldBank.Org. October 12, 2005
* "It's stunning what they've done with very little to work with.
The house we were just in is a fairly big house; the woman takes care
of the house and the livestock - five sheep and a cow and a whole
bio-gas cooking operation. And the husband's off earning money to
make it all work . . . It's very impressive. I can't imagine doing it
myself. You
have to be somewhat in awe of what people who, you give them a little bit
of a chance, will make a better life for themselves and their children.
It's really quite amazing. We've seen it in other countries; we see it
here in China, and it's inspiring . . . I've been in Shanghai, I've been
in Beijing, Nanjing, and Guangzhou, all within the last 5 years. We talk
-- correctly -- about how much China's accomplished. This is also a
demonstration of how much more work there is to be done.
I'm very proud that the Bank is participating in it . . . There's still a
lot of poor people in the world, even here in successful countries like
China." ("WB President Impressed by China's Poverty Reduction." Embassy
of the People's Republic of China in India. October 14, 2005)
Furthermore, we quote him on poverty reduction in other areas of the world.
* "The fact is that when it comes to poverty reduction, it is not a
question of American foreign policy, or British foreign policy or South
African foreign policy. It [poverty reduction] is a unifying goal and it
is one that I believe in deeply. Each organization has to focus on its
primary mission and its core competencies and the World Bank's are in the
areas of poverty reduction." ("Wolfowitz Sets Africa Poverty Aim." BBC
News. April 1, 2005)
Through many trade and investment deals that China has established in
Africa and Latin America, it has enabled these countries to advance their
development and create a base for eliminating poverty in their countries.
There is undoubtedly a lengthy rebuttal of charges against Mr. Wolfowitz
which will ultimately reveal that the case against him was on flimsy
charges, hoping that they would succeed in removing him as the head of
the World Bank (which is obviously friendly to the Chinese regime). It is
becoming apparent that there are many shifts in the positions taken by
officials in the Bush Administration and notably those officials that are
in contact with world leaders, and particularly those in Eastern Asia and
China, appear to have developed a higher sense of diplomacy while the
Administration continues to waffle.
May 11, 2007
New York City
* * *
Sidney J. Gluck
Professor Emeritus at the
New School for Social Research
Co-President of the
US-China People's Friendship Association, NY Chapter
Chairman of the
US-China Society of Friends
Host of Pacific Rim News Review
Manhattan News Network Channel 34
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