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Bolton says UN must play critical role { April 11 2005 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/11/bolton.un/http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/11/bolton.un/
Nominee: U.N. must play critical role
John Bolton faces tough questions by senators
Monday, April 11, 2005 Posted: 12:49 PM EDT (1649 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- John Bolton, President Bush's choice to represent the United States at the United Nations, told senators Monday that the world body must play "a critical role" that requires "strong American leadership."
Bolton is appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he was facing tough questions -- especially from Democrats on the panel.
In his opening statement, Bolton said that if confirmed as U.S. ambassador to the U.N., he would pursue four priorities: Strengthening institutions that strengthen democracy and freedom, stemming the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, supporting the war against terrorism and fighting humanitarian crises such as the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Bolton said that the president and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were committed to the U.N., but he stressed that it must be reformed so that its authority is not undermined by scandal.
"Now more than ever, the U.N. must play a critical role as it strives to fulfill the dreams and hopes and aspirations of its original promise to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom," Bolton said.
"This effort demands decisive American leadership, broad bipartisan support and the backing of the American public."
Bolton has drawn criticism for his sometimes blunt comments about the U.N., including a 1994 statement that "there is no such thing as the United Nations."
"If the U.N. secretary building in New York lost 10 stories, it wouldn't make a bit of difference," he said during a Federalist Society forum.
Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, the ranking Democrat on the panel said that he had "grave concern" about Bolton's nomination.
Biden said that he respected Bolton's abilities and intellectual capacity, but he questioned his judgment and temperament.
"We need a strong voice in New York who knows the U.N. and who can advance our reform agenda. But we don't need a voice which people may not be inclined to listen to," Biden said. "And I fear that, knowing your reputation -- and your reputation known well at the U.N. -- people will be inclined to tune you out."
Committee chairman Sen. Richard Lugar, said that Bolton's tough talk might just be what the U.N. needs.
"The next U.S. ambassador to the U.N. must pursue reform without diminishing the effectiveness of his core diplomatic mission: namely, securing greater international support for the national security and foreign policy objectives of the United States," the Indiana Republican said.
"In this context, opponents of Mr. Bolton have criticized some statements of the nominee as abrasive, confrontational and insensitive. Some of these same statements have been celebrated by supporters of the nominee, as demonstrating a tough-minded, refreshingly blunt approach to diplomacy."
Bolton was repeatedly asked about allegations that he tried to have a State Department analyst reassigned because the analyst did not agree with him.
He said that he thought the analyst had acted inappropriately by criticizing him behind his back.
Bolton said that he did not want the man to be punished but that he did tell his supervisor that he had lost trust in him.
The hearing was interrupted briefly when three protesters holding signs shouted "No on Bolton," and other slogans.
If confirmed, Bolton will replace John Danforth, who left the post in January after less than seven months on the job. In his resignation letter, Danforth cited a desire to spend more time with family and health concerns as his reasons for stepping down.
Anne Patterson, a career foreign service officer, has been acting U.S. ambassador to the United Nations since Danforth's departure.
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