Zoellick Vows to Mend World Bank

Robert Zoellick knows he has his work cut out for him, and he says he will try to "calm the waters" if he is confirmed as World Bank president. "This institution has been through a traumatic period and there is a lot of anxiety, some frustration and anger," says the designated successor to Paul Wolfowitz.

Zoellick, 53, a former US trade rep and deputy secretary of state, left the public sector last year for Goldman Sachs. He used yesterday's announcement of his nomination to reach out to the bank's board. One signal that he's serious about his reputation as a consensus-builder: He's already consulted with Bill Clinton, Madeleine Albright, and the last three bank presidents. (More World Bank stories.)