Brussels, 16/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - The problematic selection of a European candidate for the post of Director General of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be the subject of discussion in London this weekend at the AGM of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Several sources suggest the Untied States would support the former Spanish economics minister Rodrigo Rato, to take over from German national Horst Kohler as Director General of the IMF. Negotiations are expected to be particularly sensitive given that the other European candidate for the IMF post, French national Jean Lemierre, who is the President of the EBRD (see Europe of 6 April 2004, p.8). Lemierre's application is being supported by France and Germany. Rato is supported by the new Spanish government, Benelux countries, Austria and , possibly, the UK (which has hailed his good relations with Washington, whose green light is essential). Agreement on who will take over from Kohler (who resigned last month in order to be able to stand in the German presidential elections) may be reached at the IMF's spring summit in Washington (24-25 April).