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France still hesitating on German IMF candidate

PARIS: France kept up the guessing game on its preference for the new head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday by declining once again to come out in favour of Germany's candidate Caio Koch-Weser.

Finance Minister Christian Sautter told journalists he hoped the European Union could agree quickly on a qualified candidate but declined to say whether Paris would support Koch-Weser.

Germany has been actively canvassing for Koch-Weser, a former World Bank official who is now deputy finance minister in Berlin, and saying at regular intervals that support for him was growing and hinting it expected France to back him.

But France, whose former central bank governor Michel Camdessus plans to step down as IMF managing director on February 14, has stuck to its "no comment" despite the pressure from Berlin.

"I am sure Europe will find a candidate capable of carrying out this function," Sautter said.

Noting that the IMF had to start new negotiations with Russia in March, he added: "It would be reasonable for the new candidate to be named quickly."

But when pressed on Koch-Weser, Sautter only said: "I won't say anything more. I think I'm speaking clearly and don't need any explanation."

France has not given any reason why it is delaying its decision. The United States has expressed doubts whether Koch-Weser has sufficient weight for the high-profile post.

Camdessus, who has headed the Washington-based IMF for 13 years, has expressed disappointment that it has taken so long to name his successor.-Reuters