Press Release No. 08/194

Press Release: IMF Managing Director Strauss-Kahn Announces Appointments of Former Chilean Finance Minister to Head Western Hemisphere Department, and Senior Staff to Head External Relations and Fiscal Affairs Departments

August 27, 2008

Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), today announced his intention to make three appointments at the department director level. These consist of the external appointment of former Chilean Finance Minister Nicolás Eyzaguirre as Director of the Western Hemisphere Department, and the internal appointments of Ms. Caroline Atkinson as Director of the External Relations Department and Mr. Carlo Cottarelli as Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department.

"These appointments add a wealth of experience and expertise to our management team and substantially complete the transition at the senior management level at the IMF," Mr. Strauss-Kahn said.

Nicolás Eyzaguirre, Director of the Western Hemisphere Department

Nicolás Eyzaguirre is currently Professor of Economics at the University of Chile. Between 1990-97, he held several senior positions at the Central Bank of Chile, including that of Director of Economic Studies. He was the IMF Executive Director for Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay in 1998-2000, before being Finance Minister in 2000-2006.

"Nicolás brings strong intellectual leadership and experience of economic policy making at the highest level. As Chile's Finance Minister, he was widely regarded as one of the most successful and highly respected policy makers in Latin America. He is credited for sound macroeconomic policies and economic reforms that have contributed to the strong economic performance of Chile since 2000," Mr. Strauss-Kahn said.

Mr. Eyzaguirre will take up his position on January 1, 2009.

Caroline Atkinson, Director of the External Relations Department

During her career at the Fund, Caroline Atkinson, a U.S. national, has worked on a wide cross-section of countries as well as on policy issues in the European, Western Hemisphere, and Policy Development and Review Departments. Outside the Fund, she has held high-level positions in key official and private sector organizations, including at the Bank of England, the U.S. Treasury, the Council for Foreign Relations, and Stonebridge International. Ms. Atkinson has also worked as a journalist for the Washington Post, the Economist, and the Times of London.

"Caroline has the ideal combination of experience within and outside of the Fund for this position. Throughout her assignments, she has consistently illustrated strategic vision, strong leadership and analytical skills, and outstanding communications and interpersonal skills," Mr. Strauss-Kahn said.

Ms. Atkinson will take up her new position on November 1.

Carlo Cottarelli, Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department

Carlo Cottarelli, a national of Italy, has extensive experience across the IMF, having worked in the Fiscal Affairs, the European, the Monetary and Capital Markets, and the Policy Development and Review Departments. Prior to joining the Fund, Mr. Cottarelli worked in the Research Department of the Bank of Italy.

"Carlo brings to this position analytical leadership, an impressive track record of working on policy and country issues, and valuable experience of leading technical assistance work. Carlo has also repeatedly demonstrated an ability to lead teams that produce high quality analytical output across the range of macroeconomic and structural policy areas of relevance to the Fund," Mr. Strauss-Kahn said.

Mr. Cottarelli will take up his new position on November 1.