Rice Defends Bolton Nomination at ASNE

By: Andrew Ackerman Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice defended the nomination of John Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in a speech that concluded the annual convention of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, where she was warmly received by approximately 300 editors in the ballroom of the J.W. Marriott here.

She also appealed directly to editors when she expressed the importance of an engaged citizenry.

"More than ever we need the support of an informed American public if we are to succeed in our vital mission for the American people and for the cause of liberty," Rice said. "That is why we so greatly value your work and value the work of the American Society of Newspaper Editors in promoting freedom of media at home and abroad."

When asked why the president would nominate Bolton, a U.N. critic, to represent the United States at the international body, Rice got a big laugh by noting she was best suited to answer the question "since I'm the one who proposed John."

She praised his handling of a 2002 Moscow treaty on arms reduction that allowed the United States to share the costs of dismantling aging Soviet weapons. And she didn't shy away from applauding Bolton's blunt criticisms of the U.N.

"Now, yes, he has had a lot to say for the need for the United Nations to look different than it does now," Rice said. "Frankly, the United Nations is saying a lot about the need for the United Nations to look different than it does now."

She asked rhetorically if the United States and its allies are up to the task of spreading democracy around the world, which would entail significant reform of the United Nations, she said.

"The great international institutions are going to have to be up to the task, and it means you cannot have a human rights commission on which Sudan sits. It doesn't make any sense," Rice said. "

For the most part, Rice's written remarks and the audience's questions addressed trouble spots around the world. Rice talked optimistically about India-Pakistan cooperation, democratic revolutions in eastern Europe, and the spread of democracy in the Middle East.

For too many years, she said, American presidents were prepared to adopt a policy of "exceptionality" in the Middle East, she said, which made it acceptable for the country to support dictators.

Her speech ended a week of appearances at the convention by major figures, including President Bush, Rupert Murdoch and Sen. Barbara Boxer.