US President George W Bush has nominated Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz for the post of president of the World Bank, a key global development agency.
Paul Wolfowitz was a vocal proponent of war in Iraq
Mr Wolfowitz's reputation as a tough Pentagon hawk has divided global opinion.
Here are a selection of key reactions from around the world.
The Department of Defense will miss his
talents, insights, and energy, and I will miss his daily counsel and friendship.
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
The enthusiasm in old Europe is not exactly overwhelming.
German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul
He is a man without international development experience, without professional qualifications.
He has not demonstrated an interest in the Millennium Development Goals, the shared international commitments to the fight against extreme poverty.
Prof Jeffrey Sachs, Earth Institute, Columbia University
I have known Paul Wolfowitz personally and professionally for a long time. He is a person of high intellect, integrity and broad experience in both the public and private sectors.
James Wolfensohn, current World Bank president
A truly terrifying appointment. You can't have a situation where rich countries lecture developing countries about democracy and then aren't prepared to exercise democracy in this kind of appointment.
Dave Timms, World Development Movement
[He has] an impressive record of public service with extensive experience of management and of international affairs, in particular in Asia and the Middle East. I will look forward to working with him.
Rodrigo Rato, head of the International Monetary Fund
The appointment is another provocation from the US administration and the neo-conservatives to the Third World, especially the Arabs and Muslims.
Abdel Bari Atwan, editor of Arabic newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi
It's a proposal. We shall examine it in the context of the personality of the person you mention and perhaps in view of other candidates.
Michel Barnier, French Foreign Minister
Paul Wolfowitz is very distinguished and experienced internationally, and if his appointment is confirmed we look forward to working with him.
Jack Straw, UK Foreign Secretary
People know Paul most recently because of his work in the Defence Department, but he was ambassador to Indonesia - he has considerable experience in a developing country. He is aware of the problems.
Allan Meltzer, senior US political economist
I'm not positive with the choice - it's going to rub people up the wrong way... [But] he could be a lot better than the initial reaction to the labels that have been attached to him. He could prove over time to be a very important and good leader of the World Bank.
John Stremlau, head of international relations, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
It makes you wonder whether all the administration's words about mending fences with our allies are just lip service.
John Kerry, 2004 Democratic presidential candidate
A good proposal, but there may be others. There are people of great value.
Mexican President Vicente Fox
As well as lacking any relevant experience, he is a deeply divisive figure who is unlikely to move the Bank towards a more pro-poor agenda.
Patrick Watt, ActionAid