The Other Side Of Paul Wolfowitz

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There are still complaints. One Bank staff member says that Wolfowitz has been largely inaccessible to some top managers inside the Bank, relying more on his "loyalists" who moved with him from the Administration. But, for now at least, the charm offensive seems to be working. "People are saying, 'I met him. He didn't seem to have horns or a tail or anything,'" says another Washington staffer.

In addition to winning over his new colleagues, Wolfowitz confronts an equally daunting challenge if he hopes to change the way the World Bank does business. The Bank has changed from its early days when it focused mainly on funding huge infrastructure projects such as dams and bridges. Under James Wolfensohn, president for the past 10 years, more lending has gone into programs to improve governance, health and education. But some countries, such as Tanzania, have found that educated and healthy people are still poor if they lack jobs. One of Wolfowitz's big challenges will be to kick-start growth in countries that seem stuck in an endless cycle of poverty. The Bank has also striven to combat corruption among governments that receive Bank assistance, insisting that countries meet tougher standards for transparency. But some outsiders say the Bank remains too lenient. Republican U.S. Senator Richard Lugar introduced a bill last month that would help poor countries fight corruption, and that encourages transparency and accountability in multinational development banks. "Within the Bank as a whole there appears to be an institutional culture often resistant to fighting corruption," says Keith Luse, a senior staff member on Lugar's committee.

Though primarily associated with national-security issues, Wolfowitz has experience with the developing world: he was Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs under President Reagan and served three years as U.S. ambassador to Indonesia. Longtime associates say that he has had an interest in development for years, and sees the Bush Administration's push for democracy in the Middle East and the goal of improving living standards in the developing world as points on the same continuum. Kevin S. Kellems, a senior adviser who has worked with Wolfowitz for the past four years, says: "What keeps me coming back for more is the unique opportunity for an individual to make a big difference to individuals around the world."

Wolfowitz promises he will be "results-driven." He has already spoken out against agricultural subsidies in rich countries that inevitably hurt farmers in the developing world — subsidies that were raised by George W. Bush. He says that the development of Africa will be his top priority and believes that the continent "may be in a moment of real opportunity." On his swing through Africa last week, Wolfowitz set out to charm the people he is employed to help. He picked up kids, sought out ordinary workers and farmers, and even slipped into halting but serviceable French when he needed to. In Nigeria's dusty north, Wolfowitz visited a primary school renovated with Bank money. While gun-toting security guards watched anxiously, Wolfowitz enthusiastically plunged into a crowd of wide-eyed kids, most in tattered clothes, some with begging bowls. Inside, he toured a freshly painted classroom where boys in white shirts and trousers occupied two rows while girls wearing Islamic gowns and head coverings sat in a third. "Good afternoon, sir," the children sang, as their high-profile guest walked in. "We're happy to see you." Now Wolfowitz just has to make the good feelings last.