Panel may say Wolfowitz broke rules

8220;They have had long meetings late into the night to ensure that they are following due process,8221; said a bank official briefed on the committee8217;s discussions, noting that its work was occurring in secret in a highly charged atmosphere throughout the bank.

At issue is a raise, promotion and promise of future raises that Wolfowitz arranged in 2005 for Shaha Ali Riza, his companion and a bank employee. Wolfowitz said that he did so at the behest of top bank officials and that they cleared his actions.

Bank officials said the committee investigating the matter planned to present its findings on Friday to Wolfowitz and give him time over the weekend to respond. The plan is to submit both the recommendation and his response to the full bank board for possible action next week.

In another sign of pressure on Wolfowitz, European officials said ministries in Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries had warned that their parliaments were so unhappy with the bank that they might withhold future funds if he remained in office.

8211;STEVEN R WEISMAN