Ex-ambassadors seek removal of appointee (Foxie)

[ProSense]

Ex-ambassadors seek removal of appointee

By SAM HANANEL, Associated Press Writer Fri May 11, 7:56 PM ET

WASHINGTON - A group of former U.S. ambassadors asked President Bush to remove the U.S. ambassador to Belgium on grounds the recess appointment of Republican donor Sam Fox undermines diplomatic posts worldwide.

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"Appointing an ambassador after the nomination has been withdrawn, and before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has even considered the nominee, essentially renders the Senate's confirmation process irrelevant," seven former diplomats wrote in a letter to Bush dated May 8.

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The former ambassadors say this is the first time an ambassador has been appointed during a recess after being withdrawn since at least 1981, according to Congressional Research Service records.

Three Democratic senators have already asked the Government Accountability Office, Congress' auditing agency, to investigate whether Bush acted illegally in making the recess appointment.

Because his initial appointment was withdrawn, Fox cannot draw a government salary and is working for free. Democrats have asked the GAO whether that arrangement is legally permissible.

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[aquart]

1. Bush is systematically dismantling our government.

We won't be able to trust anything, depend on anything. I want him to hang, and everybody cheer.