Posted on: Saturday, April 23, 2005

EDITORIAL
Policy, not personality, makes Bolton suspect

Concern over the proposed appointment of combative John Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has recently shifted from his policies and philosophy to his personality.

In many ways, that's a shame. It shifts attention away from the fundamental reasons why Bolton is a poor choice to represent this country in the United Nations.

Over the years, Bolton has been an outspoken critic of the United Nations and is an active member of that wing of the Bush administration that opposes much of what the world body stands for.

This certainly qualifies Bolton, an experienced foreign service official, as an adviser for Bush if that is what the president wishes to hear. But it is likely to make Bolton ineffective as anything other than a critic at the United Nations.

Recently, critics have come forward at the Senate to describe Bolton as an abusive bully who used his power and influence to intimidate people.

These allegations have been enough to cause the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to postpone a vote on his nomination until next month.

It is appropriate for the Senate to have a clear understanding of a nominee's temperament, particularly when the appointment is for a diplomatic post as sensitive as this.

But it is more important that the Senate take a clear-eyed look at whether this appointment serves the best interests of the United States and its relationship with the rest of the world through the United Nations. We argue it does not.