Japan backs U.S. nominee for World Bank chiefMarch 27, 2012 - 17:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Japan's finance minister on Tuesday March 26 signalled Tokyo's willingness to support Jim Yong Kim, the U.S. nominee for the next World Bank chief, a report said. "I think it is quite possible to consider (supporting Kim) if the United States requests us to recommend him," Finance Minister Jun Azumi said, AFP reported citing Kyodo News. Azumi, however, added that Tokyo had not made a final decision on the matter. U.S. President Barack Obama has tapped the Korean-American physician, known for his work in World Health Organization campaigns against AIDS in Africa, to lead the World Bank. Since its founding in 1944, Washington has always chosen the head of the World Bank, and has filled the position each time with an American, without opposition. This year, for the first time two challengers are vying with the U.S. nominee: respected economists Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria and Jose Antonio Ocampo of Colombia. That means Kim, currently president of the prestigious U.S. Ivy League school Dartmouth College, needs to woo international support for his candidacy. Kim was to launch a global "listening tour" on Tuesday, visiting Addis Ababa, Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, New Delhi, Brasilia and Mexico City - all important players in the Bank - until April 9. He is expected to hold talks with Azumi this weekend in Tokyo, Kyodo said. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |