Bush has 'full confidence' in Wolfowitz: White House

WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush retains "full confidence" in embattled World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, who faces a crunch meeting with restive bank directors, the White House said on Monday.   

"The president has full confidence in Paul Wolfowitz's ability to continue to lead the World Bank," spokesman Tony Fratto said as Wolfowitz battled charges of peddling personal influence for his girlfriend.   

At the meeting with a World Bank investigatory committee, the former Pentagon number two will plead his case over revelations that he ordered a huge pay package for his girlfriend, Shaha Riza.   

The committee, drawn from the full board of 24 national representatives, is examining not just the Riza affair but his hiring of former White House aides to influential, and highly paid, jobs in his inner circle.   

A report in The Washington Post Saturday said the bank panel had already concluded that Wolfowitz breached ethics in engineering Riza's raise, but remained locked in debate over whether to call explicitly for his resignation.   

"As members of the board we can't comment on those proceedings, but we certainly continue to support Paul and expect the review process to be fair and respectful," said Fratto.