|
Bush nominates UN critic Bolton as UN envoy
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-08 10:07
US President Bush on Monday nominated John Bolton, a blunt long-time critic
of the United Nations, to be U.S. ambassador to the world body in a move that
raised doubts about Bush's new emphasis on diplomacy.
The decision surprised many U.N. diplomats and upset Democrats in Congress,
who denounced the choice as divisive and capable of jeopardizing Bush's attempts
this year to repair diplomatic ties frayed in his first term over the
Iraq war.
![John R. Bolton, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations nominee, speaks after being introduced by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the State Department in Washington March 7, 2005. The nomination surprised many U.N. diplomats and upset Democrats in Congress, who had hoped for a less contentious choice as the U.S. representative at a time of tense U.N.-Washington relations. [Reuters]](xin_1703020810114841911710.jpg)
John R. Bolton, U.S. Ambassador to the United
Nations nominee, speaks after being introduced by Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice at the State Department in Washington March 7, 2005. The
nomination surprised many U.N. diplomats and upset Democrats in Congress,
who had hoped for a less contentious choice as the U.S. representative at
a time of tense U.N.-Washington relations.
[Reuters] | "The president and I have asked John to do this work because he knows how to
get things done. He is a tough-minded diplomat," US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice, announcing the nomination at the State Department, said. "He
will be a strong voice for reform."
Bolton, 56, who has been undersecretary of state for arms control and
international security since May 2001, is a leading hawk on Iran and North Korea
as the Bush administration seeks to halt their suspected nuclear arms programs.
Bolton's nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, where he could face a
rocky time as Democrats and some Republicans were expected to bring up
dismissive comments he has aimed at U.N. effectiveness and a disdain for some
international treaties.
"The (U.N.) Secretariat building in New York has 38 stories. If it lost 10
stories, it wouldn't make a bit of difference," Bolton said in a 1994 panel
discussion sponsored by the World Federalist Association.
In his first term, Bush was accused by many countries of taking a go-it-alone
attitude and launched the Iraq war despite failing to secure support from the
15-member Security Council.
Since the 2003 Iraq invasion, the United States has worked more closely with
the United Nations -- especially over Iraqi elections -- but it has been less
supportive of Secretary-General Kofi Annan than other major powers during a
scandal over the Iraq oil-for-food program.
"Bush's nomination sends a very clear message that the administration is
committed to far-reaching, fundamental reforms of the United Nations. The No. 1
priority will be to increase its accountability," Nile Gardiner of the
conservative think-tank The Heritage Foundation said.
If approved, Bolton will succeed former U.S. Sen. John Danforth, who resigned
in December.
ANTIPATHY TO U.N.
Several envoys to the U.N. Security Council privately expressed astonishment
that Bush would name someone who had shown such antipathy toward the United
Nations.
But one senior council diplomat, who asked not to be named, also said
Bolton's high standing among conservatives in the U.S. administration may be a
plus. "It's like the Palestinians having to negotiate with (Israeli Prime
Minister) Ariel Sharon. If you have a deal, you know you have a deal," he said.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Annan warmly congratulated Bolton. "I
don't know about what previous biases he may bring here. We have nothing against
people who do hold us accountable," the spokesman said.
But Sen. Chris Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, said Bolton was the wrong choice
when the United States was seeking to mend fences after the Iraq invasion.
"I have every reason to believe that John Bolton's antipathy to the U.N. will
prevent him from effectively discharging his duties as our ambassador," he said.
Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, top Democrat on the Foreign Relations
Committee, said he was "surprised" by Bolton's nomination and said his "stated
attitude toward the United Nations gives me great pause."
Sen. Richard Lugar, the Indiana Republican who chairs the Foreign Relations
Committee, said he would probably vote to approve Bolton but did not offer a
clear endorsement. "I'm going to reserve any comments about the appropriateness
or not of the president's choice," he told reporters.
Republican committee members Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Lincoln Chafee
of Rhode Island also gave Bolton less than full support.
Bolton "has been an outspoken critic of the United Nations. However I have
been assured that he will bring a more balanced approach to his new role," said
Chafee.
Hagel said while the United Nations needs reform "just to go up there and
kick the United Nations around doesn't get the job done."
Bolton, who keeps a model hand grenade conspicuously on a table in his
office, stressed what he called "his support for effective multilateral
diplomacy" when he appeared with Rice for the nomination announcement.
"Close cooperation and the time-honored tradition of frank communication is
central to achieving our mutually -held objectives. The United Nations affords
us the opportunity to move our policies forward together with unity of purpose,"
he said.
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top World
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
