Wolfowitz says won't resign for "smear campaign"

WASHINGTON, Apr 30 (Reuters) World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz said today he would not resign in the ''face of a plainly bogus charge of conflict of interest'' against him over a promotion he directed for his girlfriend at the bank.

In a statement to a special bank panel looking into whether the former deputy U.S. defense secretary abused ethical and other rules by approving the promotion, Wolfowitz said he was a victim of a ''smear campaign'' to oust him.

''I do not believe that doing so would serve the interests of the world's poor who are suppose to be the first concern of us all,'' Wolfowitz said.

Reuters JK DB2334