President Bush bypassed the Senate Monday and used a recess appointment to install John Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. It marked the first time a president had sent an ambassador to the U.N. with a recess appointment and demonstrates the disdain Bush has for Democrats who questioned this particularly controversial nominee.
Bush claimed he was tired of “partisan delaying tactics,” but in fact Democrats had legitimate reasons for holding up Bolton’s confirmation. The reasons had not much to do with Bolton’s acerbic personality or his skepticism about the U.N. – concerns that go to the heart of whether he’s cut out for the type of diplomacy needed in New York. Bolton skeptics wanted to see documents from the White House that might have shed light on accusations that as undersecretary of state for arms control, Bolton manipulated intelligence to suit his own position and that he sought improper intelligence checks on U.S. officials. The refusal to turn over the documents leaves questions unanswered about Bolton’s past performance.
Now that the president has snuck him through the barricades, Bolton will have his hands full. U.S. foreign policy remains unpopular with many at the U.N., and his appointment comes as the U.S. presses for reforms following disclosures that corruption and mismanagement of the Oil for Food program allowed former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to sell $64 billion worth of oil. Congressional investigators said Hussein skimmed $17 billion from the program through smuggling and graft.
Ironically, an early order of business for Bolton might involve Congress. The House passed legislation in June that would cut U.S. funding of the U.N. by half unless the world body creates a tougher internal watchdog and bars dictatorships from human rights posts. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is drafting its version of the bill. The Bush administration opposes the House legislation, saying it would undermine U.S. relations with the U.N. The U.S. contributes $264 million to the U.N.’s annual operating budget of $1.2 billion.
In announcing Bolton’s appointment, Bush said the post “is too important to leave vacant any longer, especially during a war.” Bush has said that Bolton’s direct style will be effective in the job. It’s perfectly OK to ruffle feathers at the U.N., so long as the goal is to produce a more effective organization. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will need to work closely with Bolton to achieve such progress.
