Statement of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) in Opposition to the nomination of Under Secretary of State Bolton as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.

STATEMENT OF U.S. SENATOR DICK DURBIN (D-IL) IN OPPOSITION TO THE NOMINATION OF UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE BOLTON AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N.

Monday, April 18, 2005

"At a time when we should be strengthening ties with our allies, John Bolton is the wrong choice to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

"John Bolton has repeatedly demeaned the United Nations; he boasts that he has worked against non-proliferation; he has brow-beaten intelligence analysts who would not doctor their findings to suit his political preferences; and he dangerously inflated assessments of weapons of mass destruction. He questions the value of peacekeepers and their role in civil conflicts and undervalues the principle of international law itself.

"The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has explored the charges that Under Secretary of State Bolton abused the intelligence process by seeking to have those who dared to dissent removed. I find these charges to be disturbing especially since we will be living with the consequences of poor intelligence and unfounded allegations regarding Iraqi weapons of mass destruction for years to come.

"What a contrast to suggest John Bolton should succeed John Danforth as our man at the U.N. Danforth, a statesman and a well-spoken public figure, cleared the Senate unanimously. John Bolton is embroiled in a controversy of his own making over his suspect qualifications.

"The United Nations is in need of reform, and the United States can be a positive influence in reshaping the UN for the 21st Century. Based on his record in public life, however, John Bolton is not the person for the job."

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=236592&&