7 May 2007
Kellems was a key member of Wolfowitz's close cadre of advisors, and thus one of the sources of tensions with World Bank staff. He also served as Director of Strategy in External Affairs.
In a message posted on the World Bank's internal message board, Sr. Vice President for External Affairs Marwan Muasher praises Kellems' contribution to the External Affairs office. "With his assistance, the External Affairs Vice Presidency sharpened its focus on actions and results – through the professionalization of its core communications, issues management and representation function. He also helped mobilize support for the multi-lateral debt relief initiative and worked to underscore the development stakes in international trade."
Muashar also noted that "Kevin is known among his colleagues for his emphasis on team-building and mentoring, and for his work ethic and grace under pressure."
Kellems' resignation will become effective next week.
"Kellems' resignation is perhaps a last ditch effort to stave off a vote of no confidence by the Bank's board," Bank Information Center Executive Director Manish Bapna has stated. "It's too little, too late. If anything, this move seems to suggest that Paul Wolfowitz's future at the World Bank is incredibly precarious, and that his days are numbered."
It is interesting to note that Kellems is proactively calling the press to announce his resignation, suggesting that this is indeed part of a larger public relations spin to appease the Board and save Wolfowitz.
"Could this be a prelude to a week of further resignations?" Alex Wilks ponders on worldbankpresident.org. "I expect so. Remember that Wolfowitz already offered to sacrifice his other aide Robin Cleveland, an offer that World Bank staff rejected."
"But I don't think this is just an effort by the Wolfowitz camp to show that they are taking action," Wilks continues. "Kellems may be running scared of journalists who are closely pursuing several leads on his allegedly less than professional conduct while on certain missions for the World Bank in Brazil, Singapore and China. On Saturday a major European TV channel ramped up its efforts to validate these stories. The fact that a big story may have been about to break on this, following weeks of rumours, may have made Kellems decide his continued presence at the Bank was a danger to his boss. Another possibility is that Kellems is due to get heavily sanctioned by the Bank's board which on 19 April extended its inquiry to "the various public communications made by the Bank on the matter and issues around employment contracts made in the Office of the President".