Bolton's UN Job May Depend on Fate of Iran Nuclear Resolution

[Robbien]

Bolton, a 57-year-old former arms-control official, is trying to win Security Council support for a resolution that would threaten Iran with possible economic, diplomatic or even military action for failing to obey. At the same time, diplomats in New York say Bolton's outspokenness, which played a role in scuttling his confirmation, has added to the Bush administration's isolation at the UN.

<snip>

The disconnect, even with European governments allied with the U.S. in confronting Iran, has shown up this year on other issues, including how to punish human-rights abusers, choose the next UN secretary-general and defuse Middle East tensions.

Bolton brushes aside such criticism and says the fact that President George W. Bush had to use a temporary recess appointment to name him to the post hasn't had an impact on his effectiveness.

<snip>

Bolton has worked hard to ingratiate himself with his fellow envoys, making a point of scheduling one-on-one meetings with more than 180 ambassadors and wishing many ``Happy Presidents' Day'' on the eve of the Feb. 20 U.S. holiday. Envoys say the approach hasn't worked because, at the same time, he has repeatedly criticized the inability of the ``geniuses'' in New York to overhaul the UN to suit U.S. views. ``He is not an easy man to get close to,'' Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis of Greece said in an interview. ``It is a matter of how you operate. Some people have the possibility to build consensus. Others operate in other ways.''

<snip>

``I don't know why they are so isolated,'' Ambassador Oswaldo de Rivero of Peru, a Security Council member, said in an interview. ``He lives in another world, with this belief that he is morally superior and the U.S. is more moral than all the countries around the world. It is a pity.'' To illustrate his point, de Rivero waved his arm to mimic someone wielding a whip, saying Bolton as Security Council president ``flagellated'' the panel's envoys.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aC5tB2IHWvzw&refer=top_world_news

[jaysunb]

1. Where's the MSM...again......

:evilfrown:

[bluestateguy]

2. He's not even the real Ambassador

He should not be recognized as such, and I'm stunned that the UN would even receive him, not having been duly confirmed.

[radfringe]

3. hearing problems?

Bolton is unapologetic, and relishes his role as an outsider. He told reporters last month that New Yorkers frequently cheer him on as he walks to the U.S. mission to the UN from his residence in the Waldorf Towers. ```Hey Ambassador Bolton, you're doing a great job,''' Bolton said taxi drivers and people on the street say. ```Give 'em hell.'''

how sure is he that taxi drivers and people on the street didn't really say --

```Hey Ambassador Bolton, you're doing a heck'ava job,''' :sarcasm: ```Go to hell.''

[Lilith Velkor]

4. Knowing New York cabbies, it's more like

"Hey Ambassador Bolton, you can gimme a blowjob! Go to hell!"

[genieroze]

6. He has selective hearing? lol

[hadrons]

5. "making a point of scheduling one-on-one meetings "

can you image having to look back at this fugly mug

[Jack Rabbit]

7. recess appointment . . . hasn't had an impact on (Bolton's) effectiveness

I agree. He is ineffective and would have been had he been confirmed by the Senate.