US boost, grace time for Wolfowitz

The White House said on Wednesday that he deserves a 8220;fair process and a fair hearing of the facts8221;. The comments came from presidential counsellor Dan Bartlett.

Rice has lobbied European foreign ministers in the last two weeks, expressing support for Wolfowitz, said State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack said.

Despite these boosts, bank officials said they saw no hints that the board was any less determined to oust Wolfowitz

Wolfowitz has been given until Friday evening8212;two additional days8212;to make his case to the board. Wolfowitz will have an opportunity to meet the board on Tuesday afternoon 8220;to communicate his views in person, if he wishes8230;,8221; the board said. Sometime after that, the board will make a decision.

Discussions carried on through Wednesday on whether to proceed with a vote next week.

It has been a tradition since the 1940s that the US selects the Bank president and the Europeans the head of the International Monetary Fund.

Last weekend, a special panel of the board concluded that Wolfowitz had violated bank rules and the terms of his contract by directing that Shaha Ali Riza, his companion, be awarded a large pay raise and promotion package when she was transferred to the State Department in 2005.