Well, it did not take long.
John Bolton was appointed by Bush as US Ambassador to the UN on 1 August during the congressional recess.
Bush said the job at the United Nations was “too important to leave vacant any longer, especially during a war and a vital debate about U.N. reform.”
Here’s what was so important and urgent, Bush needed to throw a spanner in the works:
(after the flip)
As you know, there is a major reform initiative in the works at the UN. Diplomats from the various UN missions have toiled and negotiated over a draft document for the last six months with the objective to have it approved in conjunction with the opening of the 60th General Assembly in late September.
Reuters tells the story:
Bolton’s letter, circulated to the other 190 ambassadors, at the United Nations comes a week after the United States submitted more than 500 amendments to a draft document diplomats have been negotiating for six months, causing some envoys to panic that agreement might not be reached.
(snip)
The U.S. amendments, obtained by Reuters would eliminate reference to Millennium Development Goals approved by world leaders five years ago. They set deadlines to reduce extreme poverty, AIDS and raise education levels around the world.The U.S. amendments also oppose further action on climate change, new pledges for foreign aid, and call for nuclear powers to accelerate the reduction of their arsenals.
Instead:
the United States wants stronger action against terrorism
(more illegal wars to fight?)
a new and stronger human rights body
(while refusing to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court)
Is there no end to the bullshit from this administration (stupid rhetorical question).
Even disciplined UN-staffers could not hide their frustration and displeasure when Bolton took on his new duties – check the link to the Countdown-video at C&L.
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