Israel Matzav

Bolton throws in the towel

United States Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton submitted his resignation this morning, and it was accepted by President Bush. It's a pity, because Bolton was a true friend of Israel, one who didn't hesitate to tell the UN and its anti-Israel institutions where to get off.

Bolton's nomination had been blocked by a Democratic filibuster threat last year, prompting Bush to place him in the U.N. post through a recess appointment in August 2005. That appointment expires when the current Congress adjourns. Formal adjournment could come as soon as the end of this week, but no later than the beginning of January.

"It is with deep regret that I accept John Bolton's decision to end his service in the administration as permanent representative of the United States to the United Nations when his commission expires," Bush said in a statement released by the White House.

"I am deeply disappointed that a handful of United States Senators prevented Ambassador Bolton from receiving the up or down vote he deserved in the Senate," Bush added. "They chose to obstruct his confirmation, even though he enjoys majority support in the Senate, and even though their tactics will disrupt our diplomatic work at a sensitive and important time. This stubborn obstructionism ill serves our country, and discourages men and women of talent from serving their nation."

Senator Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island should be tarred and feathered for blocking Bolton's nomination. Thank God, Chafee's political career is (hopefully) over:

With the appointment nearing its expiration, Bush resubmitted the nomination Nov. 9. But Democrats remained opposed to the choice, and Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.), the incoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, labeled it a nonstarter. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee (R-R.I.), a moderate Republican who lost his reelection bid in the Nov. 7 elections, also expressed opposition to the new appointment.

In announcing his acceptance of the resignation, Bush praised Bolton as an effective advocate for U.S. interests. He said he first appointed him "because I knew he would represent America's values and effectively confront difficult problems at the United Nations." Bush said Bolton "articulately advocated the positions and values of the United States and advanced the expansion of democracy and liberty."

He said Bolton had led negotiations resulting in "unanimous Security Council resolutions regarding North Korea's military and nuclear activities" and had "built consensus among our allies on the need for Iran to suspend the enrichment and reprocessing of uranium." He also promoted peacekeeping efforts in Darfur and "made the case for United Nations reform," Bush said.

Don't expect any statements of support from the Israeli foreign ministry though. They're too busy fiddling.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:14 PM