Wolfowitz launches spring meetings with opening press conference
21 April 2006
Wolfowitz's opening remarks touched on key themes to be discussed this week, and were interrupted by protestors
The 2006 IMF/ World Bank Spring Meetings started off with a bang at World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz's press conference on Thursday morning. The institution's Annual and Spring Meetings traditionally begin with the president's press conference, at which he highlights key issues that will be discussed over the week.
Wolfowitz began his remarks with a brief summary of the main findings of the 2006 Global Monitoring Report: Strengthening Mutual Accountability: Aid, Trade and Governance. He also noted his satisfaction with the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative and conveyed his confidence that the votes needed to move ahead with debt relief would be secured by the April 28 deadline. He furthermore called for freer trade, noting its potential to have a greater impact on development than aid.
Protestors voice grievances
Activists from several organizations unraveled a large banner which read "Corporate corruption, who can we thank? The IMF and the World Bank". The team of activists managed to camouflage their banner and - much to the surprise of the numerous security guards - revealed their message for Mr. Wolfowitz while chanting the slogan that appeared on the banner. Security personnel converged on the protestors and escorted them from the room.
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