Bush:'I'm not happy'about Bolton's resignation(You've been a stalwart defender of freedom and peace

[ianwood]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An unhappy President Bush said Monday he regretfully accepted John Bolton's decision to leave his temporary job as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Senate opposition, led mostly by Democrats, doomed Bolton's confirmation to serve permanently.

"I'm not happy about it," Bush said during a farewell appearance at the White House attended by Bolton and his wife, Gretchen.

"I think he deserved to be confirmed. The reason I think he deserved to be confirmed is that I think he did a fabulous job for the country."

Turning to Bolton, Bush said, "We're going to miss you in this administration. You've been a stalwart defender of freedom and peace.

"You've been strong in your advocacy for human rights and human dignity. You've done everything that can be expected for an ambassador."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/04/bolton.resigns/index.html