Senators Question Bolton's Qualifications to Be U.N. Envoy

[UpInArms]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/11/international/middleeast/11cnd-bolt.html?hp&ex=1113278400&en=ee778b9130cbdee5&ei=5094&partner=homepage

(free registration or try www.bugmenot.com)

WASHINGTON, April 11 - A series of senators aggressively questioned John R. Bolton today about his qualifications to become the United States ambassador to the United Nations, challenging his past blunt criticisms of the organization, his policy positions, his reported effort to have intelligence analysts reassigned when they disagreed with him, and even his temperament to be one of the country's most visible ambassadors.

Mr. Bolton, the undersecretary of state for arms control since May 2001, sought through hours of tough questioning at his nomination hearing to soften his past criticism of the United Nations. He said, repeatedly and in many ways, that he would take its importance, and his role there if confirmed, most seriously. He said he had an amicable relationship with Secretary General Kofi Annan.s. He said, repeatedly and in many ways, that he would take its importance, and his role there if confirmed, most seriously. He said he had an amicable relationship with Secretary General Kofi Annan.

<snip>

Through hours of tough questioning, Mr. Bolton sought to avoid confrontation, saying some of his controversial comments had been taken out of context or were made when he was out of government. He remained unapologetic, however.

But Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in the first day of hearings scheduled to continue at least into Tuesday and to include some witnesses hostile to the nomination, were almost unanimously harsh in their judgments.

"Quite frankly, I'm surprised that the nominee wants the job, given the many negative things he's said about the U.N.," said Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, the ranking Democrat on the committee.

...more...

[paineinthearse]

1. Way to go, NYT - not one word about the CODE PINK activists

See LBN - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1385912&mesg_id=1385912

[UpInArms]

2. why would a protest

inside a committe hearing be newsworthy to a newspaper?

:sarcasm:

[Stuckinthebush]

3. There is a picture of a protestor in the story

It doesn't say Code Pink protestor, but shows her being escorted out.

[Up2Late]

9. I posted a picture below, from this story, that was ment for you

(I haven't found it in print yet, but I heard (on NPR) Sen. Boxer had some choice words)

Democrats Seek to Block Bolton as UN Ambassador

Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:20 PM ET

By Saul Hudson and Vicki Allen

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush's nominee for U.N. ambassador, a blunt-speaking detractor of the world body, told a Senate hearing on Monday he would work to make it more effective, but critics said he was a flawed choice who had insulted friends and foes alike. Bush's choice of John Bolton, who is the top U.S. diplomat for nonproliferation, has been a lightning rod for criticism of the president from those who say he has forged a "go-it-alone" approach to U.S. foreign policy. Bolton said in 1994 "it wouldn't make a bit of difference" if the U.N. headquarters building lost 10 stories.

Republicans have applauded Bush's nomination...

...Sen. Richard Lugar, the Indiana chairman of the 18-member committee, echoed the sentiment...

(clip)

...But the eight Democrats on the panel, all of whom are expected to oppose the nomination, 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.

Ranking Democrat Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware complained the hearing was being held without the committee fully investigating accusations Bolton pressed for two intelligence analysts to be fired after they appeared soft on Cuba. Sen. Christopher Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, told ABC on the eve of the hearing, "There's very credible information that Mr. Bolton tried to have analysts -- intelligence analysts, in at least two cases -- removed from their jobs." Continued ... Page 2

(more at link above and page 2)

[Up2Late]

4. Senators Question Bolton's Qualifications to Be U.N. Envoy (NYT/HT)

Senators Question Bolton's Qualifications to Be U.N. Envoy
By BRIAN KNOWLTON,
International Herald Tribune

Published: April 11, 2005

WASHINGTON, April 11 - A series of senators aggressively questioned John R. Bolton today about his qualifications to become the United States ambassador to the United Nations, challenging his past blunt criticisms of the organization, his policy positions, his reported effort to have intelligence analysts reassigned when they disagreed with him, and even his temperament to be one of the country's most visible ambassadors.

Mr. Bolton, the undersecretary of state for arms control since May 2001, sought through hours of tough questioning at his nomination hearing to soften his past criticism of the United Nations. He said, repeatedly and in many ways, that he would take its importance, and his role there if confirmed, most seriously. He said he had an amicable relationship with Secretary General Kofi Annan.

"The United States is committed to the success of the United Nations, and we view the U.N. as an important component of our diplomacy," Mr. Bolton said. He added, "If confirmed, I look forward to working closely with this committee to forge a stronger relationship between the United States and the United Nations, which depends critically on American leadership.":eyes:

Through hours of tough questioning, Mr. Bolton sought to avoid confrontation, saying some of his controversial comments had been taken out of context or were made when he was out of government. He remained unapologetic, however. But Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in the first day of hearings scheduled to continue at least into Tuesday and to include some witnesses hostile to the nomination, were almost unanimously harsh in their judgments. "Quite frankly, I'm surprised that the nominee wants the job, given the many negative things he's said about the U.N.," said Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, the ranking Democrat on the committee.

[ananda]

5. about what Bolton said..

Bolton said: If confirmed, I look forward to working closely with this committee to forge a stronger relationship between the United States and the United Nations, which depends critically on American leadership.

--------

Isn't that just a bit disingenuous and bass-ackwards?


Sue

[Up2Late]

7. This is from Reuters

<>

Sorry, this was meant for response #1

[dxdem]

6. Any man

who can't dye the top of his head the same shade as his 'stache...doesn't need to be seen in a professional position.

on edit: spelling

[tblue37]

13. He looks like a walrus. eom

[Festivito]

8. Spence Abraham said we need no Energy dept, then Bush gave it to him.

After he took it, we had Cheney's secret energy commission, power outages in California by cheating companies, and a big outage all over the north-east caused by a Bush supporter company.

>I'm sure the UN thing will work out also. </sarcasm>

[The_Casual_Observer]

10. The guy is a crank rw lunitic. He ought to be in jail.

I hope they have the sense to reject the bastard.

[0007]

11. I think they will reject John R. Bolton. 'Ya never know thught!

[Old and In the Way]

12. Bolton is an excellent choice.

If the intent is to send a big "Fuck You" to the rest of the world. Democrats are absolutely right to vote this ideologue down. He will further destroy our international reputation. Given how the Republicans have mismanged our economy into a 2nd world status, the neo-cons should realize that the Clinton era is over. We no longer have the same projection and influence that we had 5 years ago. They still don't get it. We will be the losers if this ridiculous choice is pushed through by the Republican majority.

[mrdmk]

14. If the leadership in this country had any sense

The Senate would not have to waste their time on John Bolton. The Bovine meter is off the scale!