From Mr Venkatachar S. Raghavan.

Sir, The inability of the US administration to come up so far with credible names for the stewardship of the World Bank is surprising. Instead of considering failed business executives or discredited politicos for this important institution, nominating Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and an economist of international stature, to the World Bank would be an inspired move that would be received enthusiastically both by the developing countries and by the dedicated staff of the World Bank.