Talk ; counted on Friday that Presid< nt George W Bush could tap his chief trade negotiator Robert Zoellick to run the World Bank, but the White House turned aside questions on the matter.

Zoellick, in Africa this week, had been widely expected to step down as US trade representative after four years in the job. At the same time, many in the business community would like to see him stay on.

On Thursday, the White House said four cabinet secretaries who had not announced plans to resign —- - would-hu-etaying-on-mto-Bush’s second term, bringing to an end a string of cabinet departures that followed the Nov 2 presidential election.

Although Zoellick is not a member of Bush's cabinet, the trade post holds cabinet rank and carries the title of ambassador. The protocol distinction allows Zoellick to meet with foreign officials at the highest level.

WB insiders expressed excitement at the prospect, saying if Zoellick does come to the interna-tional lender, he would bring fresh ideas about how to stimulate private enterprise to help alleviate poverty.