Bolton Sacked

This item just came in from Farid:

RPS STATEMENT ON THE RESIGNATION OF AMBASSADOR JOHN BOLTON

Washington DC, December 4, 2006/RPS Press Release/ -- RPS regrets deeply the resignation of Ambassador John Bolton today from his position as the US Ambassador at the United Nations.

Ambassador Bolton served the United States honorably and aptly. He will be missed for his courage, his capacity to project the power of the US as it should be, and his keen ability to stand-up to extremism in the Middle East.

President Bush summarized well RPS disappointment when he said: "They (handful of US Senators) 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."

President Bush went on to say: "He served his country with extraordinary dedication and skill, assembling coalitions that addressed some of the most consequential issues facing the international community. During his tenure, he articulately advocated the positions and values of the United States and advanced the expansion of democracy and liberty. Ambassador Bolton led the successful negotiations that resulted in unanimous Security Council resolutions regarding North Korea's military and nuclear activities. He built consensus among our allies on the need for Iran to suspend the enrichment and reprocessing of uranium. His efforts to promote the cause of peace in Darfur resulted in a peacekeeping commitment by the United Nations. He made the case for United Nations reform because he cares about the institution, and wants it to become more credible and effective."