Wolfowitz takes helm at World Bank

Paul D Wolfowitz took charge as the World Bank's 10th President on Wednesday.

US President George Bush had recommended the name of the controversial Wolfowitz, who was the former US Deputy Secretary of Defense. Wolfowitz replaced the 71-year old James Wolfensohn who led the World Bank for a decade.

His ascendancy to the World Bank top slot has drawn mixed response with some hailing his appointment, while others bemoaning it.

Wolfowitz, in his first press briefing, said his agenda would focus on Africa, fighting corruption and involving poor countries more effectively in the bank's decision-making. He had earlier said he would make World Bank loans attractive for India and China.

So who is Wolfowitz?

Paul Wolfowitz, 62, is widely known as the architect of the Iraq War. Soon after the September 11 terror attacks on the US, he strongly advocated war against Iraq. Political analysts regard him a 'neoconservative' and he is known for his near-obsessive pro-Israel advocacy.

A military analyst under Ronald Reagan, Wolfowitz had denounced US support for Saddam Hussein in his conflict with Iran.

He is also said to be one of the most hawkish members of the Bush Administration. Wolfowitz is a veteran of the Reagan and George H Bush administrations, having served as Director of Policy Planning for the Department of State and then Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs for Reagan, and as Undersecretary of Defense for Policy for Bush Sr.

Under Reagan, Wolfowitz also served as US Ambassador to Indonesia.

Wolfowitz had served as dean and professor of international relations at the Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of The Johns Hopkins University.

He received a Masters degree in administration and a Doctorate in political science and economics from the University of Chicago.

Wolfowitz is a native of New York. He married Clare Selgin Wolfowitz in 1968. They had three children and 'reportedly' divorced in 2002. Clare Wolfowitz works at the University of Maryland. -- Agencies