Bush 'regrets' Wolfowitz's predicament

Washington -- U.S. President George Bush Thursday expressed regret over what is likely the imminent departure of Paul Wolfowitz as World Bank president.

Wolfowitz has been under fire for orchestrating a pay raise for a woman with whom he had a personal relationship.

"I regret it has come to this," Bush said during a news conference in the White House Rose Garden with outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Bush praised Wolfowitz as a man of vision who would do what is "best for the bank."

"I respect him a lot," Bush said.

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