Bush's UN choice faces scrutiny

BBC NEWS
Bush's UN choice faces scrutiny
By Justin Webb
BBC News, Washington

US President George W Bush's controversial candidate for the US ambassadorship to the UN, John Bolton, will appear before senators today.

He will try to persuade them he is the right man for the job.

Mr Bolton, a senior State Department official, is an outspoken critic of the United Nations.

This is going to be an explosive session of the senate foreign relations committee, and could end in a political showdown with the White House.

At least one Republican on the committee has signalled that he might vote against Mr Bolton.

If all the Democrats opposed him as well that would be enough to hold up his appointment.

'Pragmatic'

Mr Bolton is one of the toughest campaigners in the Bush administration for a foreign policy based on American power and catering to narrowly define American interests.

Mr Bolton has made it plain that he dislikes the United Nations.

He once said that if 10 of the 38 stories of the UN building in New York were lost it would not make any difference.

Mr Bolton's supporters say he is intellectually capable and achieves results.

His boss, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said of his nomination: "We've asked John because he gets things done."