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Koch-Weser stands no chance at IMF top slot

BERLIN: Junior German finance minister Caio Koch-Weser no longer stands a chance of becoming the head of the IMF given US opposition, EU Commission President Romano Prodi said in interview to Friday's edition of The Financial Times in Germany.

"It's clear that nobody can be named against the wishes of the United States any more than they could against that of the Europeans," Prodi said.

"We're in a situation of reciprocal veto."

Meanwhile, the German government has brushed aside a suggestion by US President Bill Clinton that it choose another candidate for the job of IMF chief, a finance ministry spokesman told AFP late Thursday.

"Germany has proposed a candidate and he's the right one," the spokesman said, referring to Koch-Weser.

"To become head of the IMF, there has to be a majority of votes from the members of the executive directorate," he said adding:"That can be done without the United States. AFP