by ask
Thu Aug 25th, 2005 at 11:14:42 AM EST
Promoted and edited by Colman
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.
Update [2005-8-25 11:38:55 by Colman]:
While we're on the topic of arrogant fools and foreign policy, the BBC and Irish Times are reporting that the new Iraqi constitution has been agreed, and that it is unclear whether it will actually be voted on by parliament:
A government spokesman Laith Kubba insisted parliament did not need to formally meet to approve the charter because it had effectively been passed on Monday.
See? It's easy to get things agreed so long as you don't worry too much about pesky democracy,
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.
Spread the word!
