Democrats press Rice on U.N. envoy nominee Bolton (re Plame leak) [View All]

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http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-07-27T204439Z_01_N27272933_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-BUSH-BOLTON-DC.XML

Democrats press Rice on U.N. envoy nominee Bolton

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Democrats urged Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday to say whether U.N. ambassador nominee John Bolton was questioned in the investigation of the leak of the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame.

Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are trying to determine if Bolton answered a routine questionnaire truthfully when he indicated he had not been interviewed or asked to supply information for a recent grand jury investigation.

California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer said Bolton, a blunt-spoken conservative who has drawn fire for his abrasive style, should not be sent to the U.N. post until lawmakers have a definite answer on the veracity of his response.

Citing reports President Bush may bypass the Senate and appoint Bolton while Congress takes its upcoming summer recess, Boxer said, "I urge in the strongest possible way" the Senate be allowed to continue work on the nomination.

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