DUSHANBE, May 21, 2001, Asia-Plus — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has initiated the selection process for the next IMF Managing Director.
In a statement released on May 20, the IMF Executive Board Dean, Mr. Shakour Shaalan, noted that the Fund”s Executive Board has adopted a procedure that allows the selection of the next Managing Director to take place in an open, merit-based, and transparent manner. According him, there was broad support in the Executive Board for this procedure.
The former IMF head, Mr. Strauss-Kahn, announced his resignation from the IMF on May 18. His resignation has sparked debate about his successor, with leading voices in Europe saying another European should head the fund.
The BBC reported on May 21 that the former IMF head has been released from a New York City jail after posting US$1 million cash bail. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who denies charges of attempting to rape a hotel maid, is to be kept in home detention at a temporary location in Manhattan. He is to be kept under 24-hour guard and will wear a monitoring bracelet.
Mr. Strauss-Kahn is charged with seven counts including four felony charges – two of criminal sexual acts, one of attempted rape and one of sexual abuse – plus three misdemeanor offences, including unlawful imprisonment.
His accuser is a 32-year-old originally from Guinea in West Africa who reportedly told authorities that Mr. Strauss-Kahn had accosted her after she entered his hotel room to clean it.
Mr. Strauss-Kahn, 62, denies the allegations and on 6 June is set to enter a formal plea.
New York media reported on May 20 that Mr. Kahn”s release was delayed because residents of the building had complained about his plans to move there.
While Mr. Strauss-Kahn had posted his bail, lawyers for the former IMF head said there were still other bail issues to be resolved, Reuters reported.
