British complaint could be last straw for Bush's man

April 26, 2005

British complaint could be last straw for Bush's man
By Tim Reid and Richard Beeston
Times


JACK STRAW became embroiled yesterday in the controversy surrounding John Bolton, President Bush’s choice to become the next US Ambassador to the UN, after it emerged that the Foreign Secretary had complained to Washington about his behaviour.

As a series of new allegations against Mr Bolton put his chances of confirmation further into doubt, details emerged of how a furious Mr Straw told Colin Powell, the former US Secretary of State, that Mr Bolton was trying to destroy a European initiative on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Mr Straw made the complaint after he became convinced that Mr Bolton was the source of an article on the front page of The Times last July quoting an unnamed senior US official who dismissed the initiative as “spring training” and advocated “regime change” in Tehran. The Times has never revealed its source.

A Foreign Office spokesman said last night that Mr Straw had “no recollection” of clashing with Mr Bolton. Privately, however, a senior British official recalled that Mr Straw had been very angry with Mr Bolton, whom he described as “extremely disobliging”.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,171-1585546,00.html

Now there's a word you don't hear every day. I take it it's a very British euphemism for "huge asshole."

usage english translation f_t_r.

Cheesy puns aside, even the strident Mr. Straw realizes Bolton is nuts. The British government has been the Neocons' lapdog since the buildup to the war, but everything that has transpired has done nothing but harm Anglo-American relations.

...incidents involving intelligence tampering by Bolton and BushCo? Without that, Bolton just may get confirmed.

Also, doesn't Bush have the power and authority to mandate John Bolton to the appointment and override any vote from congress to the contrary? In fact, can't Bush right now with his war powers, appoint and confirm Federal judges without approval from congress? Isn't Bush already a dictator?

but I think the political damage to him would be high. The Bolton case has gotten so much press that, if his own party snubs him by killing Bolton's nomination in committee, and he goes ahead and makes a recess appointment, it will be a very big deal indeed.

The recess appointment option "works" with judicial nominations because with so many judges, it's easy for the public to lose track of "Xth superior court." But there is only 1 ambassador to the UN, and it would definitely be noticed.

...a mission, besides he has done recess appointments and has gotten away with them and has no shame for them. I think he will do it.