French farm the Fund
FRANCE first and the rest nowhere. When the International Monetary Fund meets in Bangkok this month, Michel Camdessus can look forward to another five years in charge. Not that his last five years have been specially distinguished, but he is French, and they know how to stitch these things up. His re-election went softly through before any other country could get a candidate in edgeways. The French have farmed this job since Pierre- Paul Schweitzer collected it in 1963, find- ing three of the last four managing direc- tors and allowing a minimal interval for a Dutchman. They have now added the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, featuring Jacques Attali — if he were any more French, he would burst. Others grumble after the event, the French look for power and patronage and get their act together. Why don't we?
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