Why Bolton’s First Year Was A Failure
Why Bolton’s First Year Was A Failure
While John Bolton has certainly proven to be an ineffective diplomat by souring relations with U.S. allies, his proponents claim that he deserves a permanent placement at the U.N. due to his record on the job. Heritage writes, “Over the past year, Bolton has proven a forceful advocate of American interests.”
While Bolton did successfully negotiate a “weakened resolution” to condemn the North Korean missile tests, Bolton’s tenure has been marked by gridlock and strife as U.N. member-states have sought to advance an agenda that Bolton has repeatedly obstructed. Here are some of the lowlights of Bolton’s first year at the United Nations.
• Bolton isolated the U.S. from its allies on the Human Rights Council. Because Bolton was unable to negotiate favorable terms on the creation of a new Human Rights Council, the U.S. was one of four nations to oppose the creation of the Council, while 170 nations voted for it. Out of 30 or so negotiating sessions over the creation of the Council, Bolton attended just one.
• Bolton blocked the Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide from briefing the Security Council on Darfur. “Bolton said he had objected to the briefing to make the point the council should be ‘talking more about the steps it can take to do something about the deteriorating security situation’ in Darfur. [But] he gave no new proposals.â€
• Bolton unable to build consensus on U.N. reform. Kofi Annan’s deputy Mark Malloch Brown said that there is global consensus on the need for U.N. reform, but that international perception of U.S. motives are hindering those efforts. “There is currently a perception among many otherwise quite moderate countries that anything the U.S. supports must have a secret agenda aimed at either subordinating multilateral processes to Washington’s ends or weakening the institutions, and therefore, put crudely, should be opposed without any real discussion of whether they make sense or not,†he said. Bolton has not been able to breakthrough the deadlock, but has instead reinforced the perception.
• Bolton blocked and delayed approval of funding for U.N. renovation plan. The United States was the lone holdout on a U.N. committee that tried to approve an estimated $1.6 billion renovation plan for the U.N. The U.N. building violates New York safety and fire codes; it is packed with asbestos, has no sprinkler system, and leaks about a quarter of its heating. Bolton’s position provoked “an America-versus-the-world standoff.†Ultimately, Bolton’s obstruction caused Louis Frederick Reuter, the official in charge of the renovation, to quit his post.
• Bolton sought to undermine the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs aimed to convert rhetoric into hard numbers on such issues as reducing poverty and hunger, enrolling children in primary school, etc. Just days after he arrived in New York after a recess appointment, Bolton released over 700 edits to the draft document for the summit, excising all mentions of the MDGs. Bush and Rice later had to backtrack from Bolton, reassuring the U.N. of its commitment to the agreed upon goals.
Much more at The Washington Note.
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49 Responses to “Why Bolton’s First Year Was A Failure”
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Duh…
July 27th, 2006 at 9:50 amHeckuva job, Boltie
July 27th, 2006 at 9:52 amGive him a medal. Bolton has been running Dick Cheney’s operation to tear down the UN
July 27th, 2006 at 9:57 amYou guys are really going to twist off when he is confirmed aren’t you?
July 27th, 2006 at 9:59 amRRS,
You’ll have to live with the result, just like us. Just look at the state of the world. How’s it feel to twist?
July 27th, 2006 at 10:02 amDespite his abysmal record and equally abysmal reputation, I think he will be confirmed. Why not — he is on a White House mission to desetroy the UN and he has deliberately and carefully set down the path toward accomplishing just that.
July 27th, 2006 at 10:02 amPeople like RRS don’t look at the total picture, they selfishly look at their party’s platform and their party’s perspective only. It doesn’t occur to them that the damage done by Bush&Co will negatively affect them.
July 27th, 2006 at 10:04 amClosed minds - narrow views - inability to see beyond the end of their noses.
WHO ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL??? Come on.
July 27th, 2006 at 10:10 amI used to dislike Michael Bolton, but Josh & John take the cake.
July 27th, 2006 at 10:11 amAnd what the Hell is a Republican Soldier? Someone who spies
on women at a pro-choice rally? Or tells lies outside a polling place?
RRS, why did you retire? There’s so much work to do yet!
We have, in power, a government that hates the United Nations and has done everything in its power to destroy it. The same can be said about public education, the social safety net, environment regulation, labor laws, public health, voting rights (on and on and on). We will all suffer the consequences for a long time, alas (even the trolls who will willfully ignore their existence).
July 27th, 2006 at 10:16 amJohn Bolton is a proven certified fascist > enough said!
July 27th, 2006 at 10:20 amHeritage writes, “Over the past year, Bolton has proven a forceful advocate of American interests.â€
It’s interesting how these pigs dress their lies with ‘The American People . . . . etc.”
Words can not describe the soul-less greed continuously displayed by these individuals.
If I even lay eyes on a diebold or es&s box, it will be destroyed, with my bare hands if necessary. After that, I will venture to the manufacturing plant.
July 27th, 2006 at 10:23 amThat photo is perfect. What a dour, unimaginative, boring and destructive piece of crap that guy is. He ought to be frowning. He’s a disaster just like all of his ShrubCo buddies.
RRS, first, thanks for your service to the country. Second, he’s already in, so who cares. He’s a perfect representitive for the know nothing, destroy everything philosophy of the Bushies. He will continue to enhance the perception of the country and the world that this administration has no plans and no comprehension of what plans are necessary for moving this country forward in the 21st century.
Bolton is a useless joke who who’s sole purpose is to be a monkey wrench in the works. The Bush administration on the world stage is f.u.b.a.r. If it wasn’t Bolton, it would be another fool just like him. ShrubCo doesn’t know how to do it any other way. I’m perfectly happy with Bolton being out front to continue to exemplify the hopeless and clueless “policies” of the Bush administration. Being “twisted off” at the Bushies is pointless. I’ll be content to watch them screw themselves into oblivion with a smile on my face every bit as big as Bolton’s frown.
July 27th, 2006 at 10:25 amGo Bolton, GO!! Great job. Keep up the good work, Sir! Don’t concern yourself with the Leftists, Sir. Their “stuff” doesn’t work either! So. Some UN types think you are trying to prove that nothing at the UN works. We have known THAT for decades, no?
What DOES work at the UN except for the American water and electricity? UN; Culture of Corruption and toothless.
July 27th, 2006 at 10:28 amIt simply doesn’t matter who is sitting in the USA chair at the United Nations. Bush/Cheney are not interested in anything coming out of the UN. They and the Neocons view themselves as above international law so what’s the point for them? Bolton simply reflects the bush/cheney world view of not caring what anyone thinks about what they do.
July 27th, 2006 at 10:33 amBoltons PR guy is gonna be really pissed about this article.
I hope he’s not loading his Flash Flood Super Soaker with Three-Quart Aquapack.
July 27th, 2006 at 10:37 amI’ve got a simple explanation
Most men with that mustache are wackos.
Remember Stalin’s mustache
July 27th, 2006 at 10:47 amAnd someone expected more from him?? At least the son of a bitch hasnt removed the top 10 floors of the UN building - yet.
July 27th, 2006 at 10:53 amwas watching the Washington Journal today and a guy called in supporting Bolton. The moderator asked the caller what Bolton had done to elicit his support. The caller could not state anything Bolton had accomplished but said that he was(Bolton) consistant.
If you didn’t know anything Bolton had done, how would you know he was consistant?
July 27th, 2006 at 11:01 amHe appears to be a total disaster, that’s why he’ll get approved.
You could count on one hand the total number in the House and Senate who live up to their oath to defend the Constitution. That count would be zero if taken in the White House.
July 27th, 2006 at 11:06 amEvery time I see his face I have a strong, almost uncontrollable urge to punch it. Or maybe I could bitch slap him like the wrestler did John Stossel?
The whole crew of henchmen bring out the worst in me.
July 27th, 2006 at 11:22 amThe whole crew of henchmen bring out the worst in me.
Comment by Jeffrey Stewart — July 27, 2006 @ 11:22 am
And you are an actual american. You can imagine how the rest of us feel.
U.S. citizens represent 5% of the global population. Roughly 50% of you vote. Thus Approx. 25% of Americans put the Bush “government” in power. Thats 1.25% of the global population taking a leisurely dump on the rest of us.
From evolution to energy policy to global governance, Americans are hopelessly at odds with the rest of humanity, and you people are still wondering “why they hate us?”. Staring you in the face.
July 27th, 2006 at 11:47 amhe’s doing just what the criminals ordered. nothing more and nothing less.
July 27th, 2006 at 1:18 pmAn easy exercise with photoshop:
1) Take the picture above.
2) Die the hair and moustache dark brown.
3) Erase the glasses.
What famous mid-thirties’ german dictator have you obtained?
July 27th, 2006 at 1:34 pm#24 Oh, and
4) Trim a bit the sides of the moustache.
July 27th, 2006 at 1:34 pmThe GOP needs a new war or fears of war before the elections to keep control of the House & Senate. Bolton’s only job is to push a war with Iran, Syria, North Korea, whatever, through the UN. All the rest of his act is just jerking off and killing time.
July 27th, 2006 at 2:04 pmI wish you would stop posting pictures of Bolton. You’re going to force me to shave off my moustache.
July 27th, 2006 at 2:13 pm#27 - dumbstruck,
July 27th, 2006 at 2:54 pmIf you look like that you should invest in a paper bag.
#28 Walt, If I looked like that I’d invest in a .357.
Just the ’stache….Thank God!
July 27th, 2006 at 3:38 pmBolton is not failing; he is doing exactly what Bush and the republicans want him to do. They don’t give two sh*ts about the UN.
July 27th, 2006 at 6:03 pm#29 - dumbstruck,
July 27th, 2006 at 6:18 pmThat’s messy. Try a guillotine, that way your head (and face) would not have to accompany you to the 72 virgins (I assume you are male, if you are female, and are a virgin, there are plenty of male suicide bombers to go around. – there is a real shortage of virgins, even in the place that Allah maintains.).
#30 - Nat,
July 27th, 2006 at 6:20 pmWould you take one shit?
“Closed minds - narrow views - inability to see beyond the end of their noses.” LOL Marie! it is you that can’t see beyond their blind hatred to see the enemy that MUST be destroyed for no other reason that they will attempt to destroy us. If you can’t look back on the last 20 years and see the march of Islamofacism, then you can’t see beyond your nose. As for the world hating us you may be able to find a vocal minority that doesn’t like the U.S. in my many travels outside the U.S. I have found many more people who want to become us rather than despise us. Which reminds me that if you guys are game I want to propose an exchange program for people around the world? One of you disgruntled Liberals will move to say Canada and we would import a Canadian Conservative in exchange. You would get all the benefits that the Left is calling for and you would only have to learn phrench. Later we could expand the program to Mexico and then to Europe. I know I would have no trouble looking for people in other countries willing to take your place in this hated country.
July 27th, 2006 at 6:35 pm==============================
I’m not into scat, you nasty freak. There must be websites you can visit that support your strange fetish; Think Progress is not the place.
July 27th, 2006 at 6:50 pmTAKE A VERY CAREFUL LOOK AT BOLTON, AND YOU WILL REALISE THAT HE IS ADDICTED TO BOOZE AND MOONSHINE.
July 27th, 2006 at 7:13 pmBolton is a typical neocon: loud, arrogant and incompetent.
July 27th, 2006 at 8:04 pmRRS, would you prefer that the world love us or hate us? Or, would you just like this country to run like the Roman Empire and have the rest of the world fear us? Which is it?
July 27th, 2006 at 8:06 pmThink Progress is not the place.
Comment by Nat
I guess you’ve been told, Walt.
July 27th, 2006 at 10:02 pm#19 You could say that about anyone on the right about anyone in this administration, and you would get the same answer. they are a bunch of no nothing morons who don’t even know when they been had
July 27th, 2006 at 11:33 pm#33 What Islamofacist army is going to defeat us. We are the worlds greatest superpower fighting a bunch of fanatics w/ nothing more powerful than a grenade launcher. Our Govt. would really have to be a bunch of nitwits asleep at the wheel for them to co ordinate any kind of attack LOL………….. Oh wait a minute
July 27th, 2006 at 11:45 pmThe day we need the approval of the UN, the leftie morons who don’t understand that the UN is a communist holdover or the European Union is the day that the US is in trouble. We have to defeat the Islamo Fascists who are trying to destry our way of life by killing us. What part of “Convert to Islam or die.” is unclear.
July 28th, 2006 at 12:10 am#41 They certainly are having great success destroying our way of life, You righties played right into their hands fearmongering yourself into beleiving that we need to change the Constitution. You guys are so brave. Don’t go out tonight you might get kidnapped and brainwashed by commies spies. Is that worse than being brainwashed by nazis. BOO
July 28th, 2006 at 12:21 amRE: 33 by Retired Republican Soldier
With what? Rocks? Oh, you mean with the weapons the US sells them. Nevermind.
Oh…you must be referring to the US installed Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. Actually that was over 50 years ago, not a mere 20.
“In the early 1950s, there was a political crisis centered in Iran that commanded the focused attention of British and American intelligence outfits. In 1951, the Iranian parliament, under the leadership of the nationalist movement of Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh, voted unanimously to nationalize the oil industry. This shut out the immensely profitable Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC), which was a pillar of Britain’s economy and political clout. A month after that vote, Mossadegh was named Prime Minister of Iran.”
“… the CIA and British intelligence funded and led a coup d’etat to overthrow the prime minister with the help of military forces loyal to the Shah through Operation Ajax. [1] The plot hinged on orders signed by the Shah to dismiss Mossadegh as prime minister and replace him with General Fazlollah Zahedi, a choice agreed on by the British and Americans. Despite the high-level coordination and planning, the coup initially failed and the Shah fled Iran. After a brief exile in Italy, however, the Shah was brought back again, this time through a second coup which was successful. The deposed Mossadegh was arrested, given a show trial, and placed in solitary confinement for three years in military prison, followed by house arrest for life. Zahedi was installed to succeed Prime Minister Mossadegh.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Reza_Pahlavi
Yeah, thats why the mail order bride business is booming.
Well at least you asked. Hitler would have just relocated those angry liberals to a camp without their consent. I’d say you’re very progressive as far as Republicans go.
July 28th, 2006 at 5:37 amHi there
You could drop a line to my colleague maurice@opendoors-newbusiness.co.uk - he’s been in the business for 20 odd years and is happy to dispense free practical advice for these sorts of situations.
For more info check http://www.opendoors-newbusiness.co.uk
All the best
July 28th, 2006 at 8:01 amAntony
[…] UN curmudgeon and Col. Mustard impersonator Michael Bolton’s assignment as US Ambassador is up for review. Score one for Senator Russ Feingold as he asks Bolton why he was more committed to a right-wing think tank appearance than a conference to try and solve the genocide in Darfur! If that isn’t enough for them, there’s plenty more reasons why Bolton’s first year was a failure. […]
July 28th, 2006 at 10:54 amSince his actual purpose is to create as much havoc as he can, by BushCo standards, he is wildly successful. He is doing exactly what they want him to do.
July 28th, 2006 at 1:22 pmRRS :
Ifyou can get the three members of my family as naturalized citizens of Canada I’ll Take it.
Put up or shut up Moron Who Couldn’t Make A Real Living So He Sucked At the Tit Of Uncle Sammy
Draftee of America’s Imperailstic War In Vietnam
July 28th, 2006 at 9:56 pm[…] John Bolton. Jack Keane, designer of the surge. Two men whose performance during their tenure running the Bush administration’s foreign policy should preclude them from advising any presidential candidates. […]
April 13th, 2007 at 9:35 am[…] John Bolton. Jack Keane, designer of the surge. Two men whose performance during their tenure running the Bush administration’s foreign policy should preclude them from advising any presidential candidates. […]
April 13th, 2007 at 9:35 am