WP: Bush Presses Anew for Confirmation of Controversial UN Envoy Bolton

[DeepModem Mom]

The Bolton Nomination, Act II
Bush Presses Anew for Confirmation of Controversial Envoy
By Colum Lynch
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 27, 2006; Page A04

UNITED NATIONS, July 26 -- U.N. Ambassador John R. Bolton's blunt diplomatic style has made him a political rock star among conservative Republicans who relish his routine exposure of U.N. foibles and criticism of its bureaucrats.

But international diplomats, including several from countries closely allied with the United States, complain that he has furthered U.S. isolation here and undercut U.S.-backed efforts to reform the sprawling bureaucracy of the United Nations....South Africa's U.N. ambassador, Dumisani Shadrack Kumalo, chairman of a coalition of developed nations....said there is a perception among many developed countries in the coalition, known as the Group of 77, that it appears "Ambassador Bolton wants to prove nothing works at the United Nations."

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee begins hearings Thursday on whether to make Bolton's temporary appointment, which will expire in January, permanent. His appearance in Washington, where Democratic leaders have vowed to oppose Bolton, is expected to be as polarizing as his presence at U.N. headquarters.

Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) said, "Mr. Bolton's performance at the U.N. only confirms my conviction that he's the wrong person for this job." He suggested that Democrats may filibuster a Senate vote unless the Bush administration releases documents Biden believes detail Bolton's use of National Security Agency intercepts involving U.S. citizens.

President Bush installed Bolton at the United Nations in August 2004, during a congressional recess, sidestepping opposition from Democrats and three Republican moderates, who voiced concern over Bolton's confrontational style....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/26/AR2006072601892.html