Kerry: No single reason why Bolton is a bad choice...there are several.

[paineinthearse]

http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/record.cfm?id=236243

Press Release of Senator Kerry
Statement by John Kerry on John Bolton’s Nomination as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

Below is a statement from Senator John Kerry on today’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings on the appointment of John R. Bolton to serve as the new U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations:

Monday, April 11, 2005

“John Bolton is the wrong choice to serve as America’s voice at the United Nations.

“Mr. Bolton’s diplomatic tin ear and penchant for hostile rhetoric have hurt America’s interests. As the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Mr. Bolton was responsible for halting the spread of weapons of mass destruction, yet he achieved little in the way of either arms control or international security. America secured more nuclear material in the two years before September 11th than in the two years after. On his watch, North Korea and Iran have become burgeoning nuclear states, with North Korea’s nuclear arsenal quadrupling from two warheads to eight today. His inability or refusal to resolve a liability question with the Russians has left enough plutonium for thousands of weapons virtually unsecured.

“New reports that Mr. Bolton attempted to intimidate intelligence analysts who did not share his views are deeply disturbing. Given our recent tragic experience with intelligence failures, it’s clear we cannot afford more of the same.

“There is no single reason why John Bolton is a bad choice to represent the United States at the U.N. -- there are several. If his past is any indication of the future, John Bolton is ill-suited to be our representative to the United Nations. His hostility to the U.N. itself makes him an unlikely person to lead the strong alliances the White House now says we need to address our common threats.”

:yourock: