Mr Wolfowitz appears to be trying to build bridges

Currently a key "hawk" in George W. Bush's administration, he said he would not use the job to preach democracy.

Instead, Mr Wolfowitz has promised to concentrate on poverty reduction, with a special focus on Africa.

A key figure in the invasion of Iraq, the European Union has expressed concern at Mr Wolfowitz's nomination.

'Consensus-building'

Speaking to the Jakarta Post, Mr Wolfowitz, a former US ambassador to Indonesia and currently US deputy secretary of defence, stressed the international nature of the World Bank.

"I will be president of a multinational organisation with 184 member nations," he said.

"I am very aware that I am accountable to a different group of people than I am in my current job...the job of the president of the bank is to pull together the most effective possible consensus."

Mr Wolfowitz is such a controversial candidate because he is seen as one of the most right wing or "neo-conservative" members of George W Bush's administration.

However, his taking over the top job at the World Bank is a near certainty due to the unwritten convention that the US chooses the boss of the World Bank, while Europe picks the head of the International Monetary Fund.

He is likely to be appointed as soon as this Thursday.

Mr Wolfowitz said that while most people knew his opinion on democracy-building, he thought he would be "more effective if I concentrate on those things that lead to poverty reduction and economic development".