Wolfie on his critics

[Doug Henwood]

[From the World Bank's daily clipping service. That creep Havel is 
probably up to no good with this meeting...]

WOLFENSOHN SAYS CRITICS SHOULD TAKE BROADER VIEW.

World Bank President James Wolfensohn Wednesday reiterated his willingness to
listen to criticism of the Bank's activities, but also urged his 
critics to take
a broader view about its work, Dow Jones reports.  Responding to accusations
that the World Bank and other global institutions aren't helping developing
nations in the right way, Wolfensohn said he is willing to discuss 
and listen to
the criticism.  "Let's discuss it," he said.  "But let's not hurl abuse at each
other."

Wolfensohn, in Prague to review planning for this fall's annual meetings of the
IMF and World Bank, said the Bank has successfully completed many projects
around the world that have had a long lasting and beneficial effect on people.

Acknowledging that there will be protests at the upcoming meetings, Wolfensohn
said he is "not deterred by demonstrations" and reiterated the Bank's intention
to improve the quality of life around the globe.

Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Czech President Vaclav Havel offered on
Wednesday to mediate with protest groups planning demonstrations at the IMF and
World Bank meetings in Prague in September.    Havel said he would organize a
forum for discussion with anti-globalization groups at Prague Castle 
just before
the meetings.  A senior aide to Havel said the meeting would aim to bring
together leaders of the largest protest groups and officials of the financial
institutions.