Former U.N. ambassador Bolton to speak on reform
Tenure marked by controversy
By: David Reynolds, Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/23/07 Section: State & National
John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will speak Friday at the Westin Charlotte to discuss reform in the U.N.
The John Locke Foundation, an independent public policy think tank in North Carolina, is sponsoring the event in Charlotte because its large population is expected to draw a considerable crowd.
Mitch Kokai, director of communications for the organization, said Bolton's appearance is part of the foundation's mission to provide the state with a diverse set of speakers.
"He was well known to have some criticisms against the United Nations," he said of Bolton.
"It will be interesting to see that now that he has been through the process, if he can offer a fresh perspective of how it works."
President Bush appointed Bolton to his U.N. post in August 2005 after almost five months of congressional opposition to his nomination. Bolton resigned in December 2006.
Kokai said Bolton's criticism of international organizations while he served in other government positions created congressional opposition to his U.N. appointment.
Charlotte was not the first public appearance Bolton has made this week. He stopped by "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" on Tuesday and defended criticism of Bush administration policies.
Timothy McKeown, a UNC professor of political science, said Bolton's actions during his tenure in the United Nations did not sit well with some.
"John Bolton's view of international organizations is that they are worthwhile only in that their existence is for giving direct benefits to the United States," he said.
"He's concerned with international cooperation but believes international organizations are not helpful in achieving it."
But McKeown said some of this criticism had to do with the fact that he was representing Bush's foreign policy, so it is hard to evaluate his abilities as an ambassador.
He said Bush's foreign policy, which Bolton pushed during his tenure at the U.N., looked to use international organizations as a springboard for spreading American ideals.
As for Bolton's future, McKeown speculated that he has readily available options beyond embarking on a speaker tour.
"I suspect that if he wanted a position within the administration, he could find one," he said.
"It's not like he's applying for grad school."
Attending the event, which begins at 7 p.m., costs $75. Those interested can register at www.johnlocke.org.
Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.
The John Locke Foundation, an independent public policy think tank in North Carolina, is sponsoring the event in Charlotte because its large population is expected to draw a considerable crowd.
Mitch Kokai, director of communications for the organization, said Bolton's appearance is part of the foundation's mission to provide the state with a diverse set of speakers.
"He was well known to have some criticisms against the United Nations," he said of Bolton.
"It will be interesting to see that now that he has been through the process, if he can offer a fresh perspective of how it works."
President Bush appointed Bolton to his U.N. post in August 2005 after almost five months of congressional opposition to his nomination. Bolton resigned in December 2006.
Kokai said Bolton's criticism of international organizations while he served in other government positions created congressional opposition to his U.N. appointment.
Charlotte was not the first public appearance Bolton has made this week. He stopped by "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" on Tuesday and defended criticism of Bush administration policies.
Timothy McKeown, a UNC professor of political science, said Bolton's actions during his tenure in the United Nations did not sit well with some.
"John Bolton's view of international organizations is that they are worthwhile only in that their existence is for giving direct benefits to the United States," he said.
"He's concerned with international cooperation but believes international organizations are not helpful in achieving it."
But McKeown said some of this criticism had to do with the fact that he was representing Bush's foreign policy, so it is hard to evaluate his abilities as an ambassador.
He said Bush's foreign policy, which Bolton pushed during his tenure at the U.N., looked to use international organizations as a springboard for spreading American ideals.
As for Bolton's future, McKeown speculated that he has readily available options beyond embarking on a speaker tour.
"I suspect that if he wanted a position within the administration, he could find one," he said.
"It's not like he's applying for grad school."
Attending the event, which begins at 7 p.m., costs $75. Those interested can register at www.johnlocke.org.
Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Parker Myers
posted 3/23/07 @ 9:15 AM EST
Hey sloov you going? Might help your vocabulary.
TIRDAD GHARIB
posted 11/18/07 @ 1:18 PM EST
Hello dear friends as a proud american swiss zionist ambassador Bolton is totally right about every thing he is saying., enough is enough with the evil ahmadinejad from iran ,we must take their nuckes out, every second that goes by the harder it will be, military action is the only solution to overthrow these facist mollahs in iran how long should we wait. (Continued…)
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