Bolton in extraordinary outburst against United Nations
Calcutta News
The U.S. Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, launched a scathing attack on the United Nations Friday.
Bolton was furious over the adoption by the General Assembly of a resolution which said the assembly regretted the deaths of 19 civilians in an attack by the Israeli military in the town of Beit Hanoun last week.
Despite the resolution being significantly watered down at the behest of the United States, and being passing by 156 votes to seven, Bolton launched a blistering attack on the UN, and many of its members.
“Many of the sponsors of that resolution are notorious abusers of human rights themselves, and were seeking to deflect criticism of their own policies,” he said.
“This type of resolution serves only to exacerbate tensions by serving the interests of elements hostile to Israel’s inalienable and recognized right to exist.”
“This deepens suspicions about the United Nations that will lead many to conclude that the organization is incapable of playing a helpful role in the region,” Bolton continued.
“In a larger sense, the United Nations must confront a more significant question, that of its relevance and utility in confronting the challenges of the 21st century. We believe that the United Nations is ill served when its members seek to transform the organization into a forum that is a little more than a self-serving and a polemical attack against Israel or the United States,” he said.
“The Human Rights Council has quickly fallen into the same trap and de-legitimized itself by focusing attention exclusively on Israel. Meanwhile, it has failed to address real human rights abuses in Burma, Darfur, the DPRK, and other countries,” Bolton charged.
“The problem of anti-Israel bias is not unique to the Human Rights Council. It is endemic to the culture of the United Nations. It is a decades-old, systematic problem that transcends the whole panoply of the UN organizations and agencies,” he continued.
The United States, and Australia joined Israel in voting against the motion, together with four small Pacific island nations. All countries in Europe, including Britain, voted to support the resolution.
The original text condemned Israel over the Beit Hanoun attack and its operations in Gaza, however the adopted resolution had the General Assembly expressing, “regret.”
Rather than an outright investigation of the incident the assembly resolved to form a committee, “to look into the facts.” The resolution also carried a demand that the Palestinian Authority take action to stop rocket attacks on Israel.
Bolton launched his attack despite gaining these concessions.
Equally critical was Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman who stormed out of the session after telling members:
“I caution everyone who will support this resolution. By doing so, you will be an accomplice to terror. The blood of more innocents will be on your hands.”
The resolution was taken to the General Assembly after the United States used its veto to squash a similar motion in the Security Council. It was the 31st time the U.S. had used its veto at the UN to stop resolutions concerning Israel and the Palestinians.
Wild Thing’s comment……
I hope Congress gets Bolton confirmed before the Democrats take over next year. sigh Well I am hoping anyway. And I am so totally impressed with Dan Gillerman.
Bolton is so much more aggressive than the rest of the Bush Aadministration. I wonder what he thinksof all the concessions and compromises made by the Administration.
Right now, I think Bolton has proven himself presidential material for Conservatives, real Conservatives, not the wimpy type we have at present in the majority of the republican Congress and administration.
Ambassador Gillerman might also be the Golda Meir type the Israeli public is looking for to replace their wimp, Olmert.
I agree Tom, but we know the Democrats are going to pillory Bolton and remove him any way possible.
Bolton does his job too well and challenges the UN to change while the Dean’s and Pelosi’s camps want their status quo, it fits with their ideals.
I don’t think the present Congress is going to do anything but stall the inevitable.
I too could support Bolton as a potential presidential candidate but the RINO RNC has already precluded that. We could use some good people like Gillerman and Bolton in the halls of Congress, instead we get the usual Kennedy, Kerry, Leahy, Rangel bloc including the newest Commie to the Senate, Bernie Sanders along with the Islamist Keith Ellison.
It doesn’t look good on the home front either with the president already in a tongue lock with Pelosi and a lip lock on Putin over Iraq.
Bolton for President!! He’s definately got my vote.
If Bolton doesn’t get confirmation, which he won’t unless Dubya makes huge concessions, then run him for President in ’08. He’s got chutzpah, puts America first, and the American electorate will get behind someone like that.
Bolton is not going to be confirmed, Biden already made that clear. As far as I can see this is going to be a long two years for Bush. According to Fox News tonight, Bush is going to be very busy answering supeonas from the democrat congress. nothing like hanging the troops out to dry, again.
As far as him running for president I would like to little more about him.
Right now I am looking at Newt as my first candidate of choice.
Amen Tom, I pray every day we get someone to run for President that I can get excited about, and be proud of. deep sigh
Jack yes, and your right too about Congress and what they will do.
Bob, men like Bolton don’t come along very often in politics. I wish they did so much.
razOr, it is so awful how they are putting Bolton through all of this when he is so good.
Mark, me too. If we voted today I would be voting for Newt.