04 Dec Goodbye Ambassador Bolton
04.12.06
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This really seals it. John Bolton’s controversial tenure as U.N. Ambassador is over. I still don’t understand why Bolton was so loved by conservatives or so reviled by liberals. He didn’t accomplish much that deserves conservative support nor did he do anything that explains the liberal vitriol directed against him. Nor is his position as U.N. Ambassador, I believe, really as important as it seems. To me, this ended up being a Washington power play, and this time (as has happened rather often lately), President Bush lost.
As usual, Prof. Ku’s analysis is in strict contradiction with the rest of the world’s. Point by point, a comparison between the above blog post and Bolton’s profile recently published by The Economist, just before resignation: Ku: “He didn’t accomplish much that deserves conservative support” TE: “(…) His ideas for reform are often sensible, such as rationalising the overlapping functions of different UN departments and agencies, and selecting officials on merit rather than by country of origin.(…)” Ku:”(…) nor did he do anything that explains the liberal vitriol directed against him.” TE:”(…) ‘The big problem with Bolton,’ says one formerly well-disposed UN official, ‘is not what he’s trying to achieve, but his style. It is extraordinary how badly he has served American interests. To be embraced by America is now seen as a kiss of death.'(…)” Ku:”(…)Nor is his position as U.N. Ambassador, I believe, really as important as it seems.(…)” TE:”(…) ‘If Bolton left tomorrow, progress would be possible on almost every front where it is now stalled,’ one senior Western diplomat fumed. ‘He has succeeded in putting almost everyone’s backs up, even among some of America’s closest allies. His main achievement has been to break the unified coalition… Read more »