Confirmation Hearing for UN Ambassador-Designate Bolton

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As protesters disrupted his confirmation hearing today, John Bolton told Senators he wants to make the United Nations stronger. Bolton has been an outspoken critic of the UN, who once called it "irrelevant." Because of his past disdain for the world body, Democrats say they'll oppose his nomination as UN Ambassador. Republicans admit he's not diplomatic, but say he's the right man to shake up a corrupt and ineffective organization. We update today's hearing, get reaction from the UN and hear about Bolton's controversial record with journalists who cover the State Department and UN, and experts in foreign policy and defense. Making News: Tension in the Middle East as Bush Meets Sharon in Texas As President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met in Crawford, Texas today, 3000 police foiled a right-wing rally in Jerusalem's Old City. At least 31 Israeli's were arrested to prevent them from entering the Temple Mount, site of the Al Aqsa Mosque. Matthew Gutman, who reports for the Jerusalem Post, updates the story. Reporter's Notebook: Tensions Flare in Beijing over Japanese Textbooks Riot police in China are on guard today after this weekend's violent anti-Japanese protests in Beijing and other cities, sparked by Japan's adaptation of new textbooks, which are said to whitewash the atrocities committed during its brutal occupation of China from 1931 until 1945. At the same time, Japan says China's textbooks aren't accurate about history either. Fred Notehelfer, professor of history at UCLA, looks at the issues and what's at stake for both countries.
As protesters disrupted his confirmation hearing today, John Bolton told Senators he wants to make the United Nations stronger. Bolton has been an outspoken critic of the UN, who once called it "irrelevant." Because of his past disdain for the world body, Democrats say they'll oppose his nomination as UN Ambassador. Republicans admit he's not diplomatic, but say he's the right man to shake up a corrupt and ineffective organization. We update today's hearing, get reaction from the UN and hear about Bolton's controversial record with journalists who cover the State Department and UN, and experts in foreign policy and defense.
  • Making News: Tension in the Middle East as Bush Meets Sharon in Texas
    As President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met in Crawford, Texas today, 3000 police foiled a right-wing rally in Jerusalem's Old City. At least 31 Israeli's were arrested to prevent them from entering the Temple Mount, site of the Al Aqsa Mosque. Matthew Gutman, who reports for the Jerusalem Post, updates the story.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Tensions Flare in Beijing over Japanese Textbooks
    Riot police in China are on guard today after this weekend's violent anti-Japanese protests in Beijing and other cities, sparked by Japan's adaptation of new textbooks, which are said to whitewash the atrocities committed during its brutal occupation of China from 1931 until 1945. At the same time, Japan says China's textbooks aren't accurate about history either. Fred Notehelfer, professor of history at UCLA, looks at the issues and what's at stake for both countries.

White House on Bush-Sharon meeting

Jerusalem Post article on Bush-Sharon meeting

UN ambassador-designate John Bolton

Senate Foreign Relations Commission hearing on Bolton

President Bush's nomination of Bolton

President Bush's nomination of Rob Portman as US Trade Representative

Senator Chaffe on Bolton's nomination

Leopold's article on US rejection of UN reform proposals on aid, debt

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney