World Bank: protectionism could kill green shoots

MONTREAL, June 8 (Reuters) - World Bank President Robert Zoellick warned on Monday that protectionism could stifle economic recovery.

"Zoellick noted that while there are signs of global recovery, there remain dangerous risks that could reverse progress, including the threat of protectionism," a World Bank statement said ahead of a speech he was giving in Montreal.

"Right now there is a low-grade fever; it isn't full influenza, but we need to keep a close watch because as unemployment numbers go up politicians are under stress and some of them may turn to protectionism," he said.

During his visit to Canada, Zoellick will meet Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

The Globe and Mail newspaper said he would be pressing the case for more money for the World Bank. (Reporting by Louise Egan, writing by Randall Palmer; editing by Peter Galloway)