U2 Singer Candidate for World Bank President
Monday, March 07, 2005
(SNN) On Sunday, John Snow, the Treasury Secretary announced that he has not ruled out the idea of adding Bono to the list of potential candidates for President of the World Bank.
The position of President of the World Bank is traditionally held by a United States citizen
Snow said, "I am not going to review here all the candidates that are on the list. But I will attest to my admiration for Bono. He does a lot of good in this world of economic development. Most people know him as a rock star — he's in a way a rock star of the development world, too. He understands the give-and-take of development. He's a very pragmatic, effective and idealistic person."
The position of President of the World Bank is traditionally held by a United States citizen, but exceptions have been made in the past. However to hold the position it is uncertain as to whether Bono would have to obtains U.S. citizenship and a last name.
the President manages the 10,000 employees of the World Bank
Besides running a board of 24 members, the President must make decisions on loan approvals and set priorities to the bank. Additionally, the President manages the 10,000 employees of the World Bank, and at the end of the fiscal week, that means a lot of timesheets to approve and checks to sign.
The President of the World Bank is also an international spokesman, and must travel extensively. If Bono is offered and accepts the position, it is likely that he will begin traveling on March 28th in San Diego and make appearances at several functions until he reaches Boston on May 28th. He will most likely be traveling with the King of Leon. Then he will travel through Europe in the company of Franz Ferdinand, Keane, the Killers, and Snow Patrol. He will then likely return to the U.S. via Air Canada Centre in Toronto and make his way through Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Dallas, Miami, Cleveland and Salt Lake City, winding up on December 19 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. No opening acts have been announced for the second leg of the diplomatic tour.
