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World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz has lashed back at critics who he alleged were conducting a "smear campaign" against him and vowed he would not resign over what he termed unfair charges.
In a statement to an investigating bank panel looking into whether he broke ethical and other rules in a pay-and-promotion deal he directed for his girlfriend, Mr Wolfowitz said the treatment of the issue has become "circus-like".
"I, for one, would not give in to such tactics," he said in the statement, which was made public.
"I will not resign in the face of a plainly bogus charge of conflict of interest."
The former deputy US defence secretary, who has been a lightning rod for European criticism since he took over the job in 2005, did not totally rule out the possibility of eventually leaving the bank, but made clear he would not be forced into it.
"Only when the cloud of these unfair and untrue charges is removed, will it truly be possible to determine objectively whether I can be an effective leader of the World Bank," he said.
Almost simultaneously at a news conference in the White House Rose Garden, US President George W Bush reiterated his support for Wolfowitz when asked whether he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had discussed the issue.
"I think he ought to stay, he ought to be given a fair hearing," Mr Bush said.
The controversy has prompted calls by some bank officials for Mr Wolfowitz's resignation and expressions of concern that the bank's mission of helping the poor would be damaged.
Mr Wolfowitz said he regretted the "tumult" the controversy had caused the bank but said he had done nothing wrong.
"To criticise me when I did nothing other than attempt in good faith to follow the guidance of the ethics committee would be unwarranted and grossly unfair.
"Moreover, it would be harmful to the institution."
- Reuters
