Bush to Nominate Bolton as UN Envoy

Reuters:

President George W. Bush has decided to nominate John Bolton, a longtime critic of the United Nations, to be the new U.S. ambassador to the world body, senior State Department officials said on Monday.

Bolton, who has been a leading hawk against Iran and North Korea as the State Department's point man on arms control policies, has often complained about U.N. bodies for not taking strong enough action against such nations. read more

"The president and Secretary (of State Condoleezza) Rice have chosen Mr. Bolton because he knows how to get things done. He is a tough-minded diplomat," an official said.

Bolton's nomination must be confirmed by the Senate. He would take up the U.N. post that was left vacant when former Sen. John Danforth resigned in December.

"John Bolton is personally committed to the future success of the U.N. and he will be a strong voice for reform," the official said.

Bolton, 56, has a reputation for speaking bluntly -- a style that at times has caused friction with allies' diplomats.

The veteran official, who is admired by American conservatives, often clashed with former Secretary of State Colin Powell as he resisted his boss' efforts to negotiate with North Korea over its suspected nuclear weapons development, according to U.S. officials.

Bolton represented a wing in the first term of the Bush administration that advocated confronting and isolating nations such as Iran and North Korea, complaining that to offer them incentives in talks would be rewarding bad behavior.