U.N. Ambassador Confirmation Hearing, Day 1

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on the nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. On the first day of hearings, Mr. Bolton testified about his professional experiences, past working relationships with the diplomatic corps and intelligence agencies, and the role of the United Nations in international affairs. Among the points of contention raised by committee members critical of his nomination were past statements questioning the effectiveness of the U.N., use of faulty intelligence on international arms control and weapons development, and perceived efforts to fire intelligence analysts who had presented findings that questioned administration policies on the threat posed by Iraq and weapons of mass destruction.

During Senator Boxer’s initial questioning a video was shown of a February 1994 speech in which Mr. Bolton questioned the work of the United Nations. Additionally, several protestors with pink banners opposing Mr. Bolton’s no close