Military

DATE=4/11/05

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS / UN (L-O)

NUMBER=2-323880

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: Senate Democrats Spar with UN Ambassador Nominee

INTRO: President Bush's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, is facing tough questioning from Senate Democrats at a confirmation hearing. VOA's Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill Democrats are concerned about Mr. Bolton's hardline views and his past criticism of the world body.

TEXT: Mr. Bolton, who currently serves as undersecretary of state for arms control, vowed to work with other nations to strengthen the United Nations, an organization he has criticized as corrupt and irrelevant.

He testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:

/// BOLTON ACT ///

"The United Nations affords us an opportunity to move our policy forward together with unity of purpose. Now more than ever the U.N. must play a critical role as it strives to fulfill the dreams and hopes and aspirations of its original promise to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom."

/// END ACT ///

He said that if confirmed his priorities as ambassador to the United Nations would include strengthening human rights, eradicating weapons of mass destruction, combating terrorism, and the fight against AIDS.

But Senate Democrats on the committee, who are expected to oppose the nomination, question Mr. Bolton's commitment to the United Nations because of his criticism of the world body and his hard line views on such issues as North Korea and Iran.

Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts ran an unsuccessful campaign to unseat President Bush as his party's nominee for the White House last year:

/// KERRY ACT ///

"On two of the most critical proliferation issues facing us, North Korea and Iran, Secretary Bolton opposed the idea of direct negotiations with each of these countries even when our allies were asking us to do so."

/// END ACT ///

Democrats are concerned that Mr. Bolton, as U.N. ambassador, could jeopardize President Bush's recent efforts to mend diplomatic ties frayed over the war in Iraq.

They are also troubled by accusations that Mr. Bolton sought the dismissal of two intelligence analysts who disagreed with him over his assertion that Cuba possessed banned weapons.

Senator Joe Biden of Delaware is the top Democrat on the committee:

/// BIDEN ACT ///

"John, I have great respect for your abilities and your intellectual capacity. It is your judgment and temperament as well as your approach to many of these issues that give me great pause."

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Bolton admitted trying to reassign the analysts to other jobs but he said it had nothing to do with policy differences.

Republicans, who control the Senate, dismiss the criticism and argue that Mr. Bolton will be a strong reformer to lead change at the United Nations after a corruption scandal involving the U.N. oil-for-food program.

Senator George Allen of Virginia:

/// ALLEN ACT ///

"I think the president, in selecting you, Mr. Bolton, has selected the absolute perfect person. The fact that there has been controversy, the American people think that is probably good, because you will bring a credibility to the United Nations that they sorely need."

/// END ACT ///

Democrats hope to persuade at least one Republican on the committee to oppose the nomination, effectively blocking it from going to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.

If he is confirmed, Mr. Bolton would replace John Danforth, who resigned after serving half a year as U.N. ambassador. (SIGNED)

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