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Rice calls for Bolton's confirmation
Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

Friday, May 27, 2005

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking Friday to a sold-out crowd in San Francisco, urged the Senate to confirm of John Bolton as U.N. ambassador, saying though he is "a pretty tough person ... and he can have rough edges," Bolton will provide "a strong voice for reform of the United Nations." Rice's comments about Bolton came after a 20-minute talk to an audience of 1,200 at the Commonwealth Club of California. The secretary offered a wide-ranging assessment of U.S. foreign policy and national security, which she said are intricately tied to "the spread of freedom and democracy in the world."

Rice defended Bolton a day after the Senate failed to end a Democratic filibuster against his nomination. The Senate is scheduled to resume its debate about President Bush's choice as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations after it returns in 10 days from its Memorial Day recess. Congressional opponents, including California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, have criticized Bolton's professionalism, accusing him of mistreating intelligence officers who did not agree with his foreign policy assessments. But Rice dismissed the criticism, saying "it is time" to approve Bolton's nomination, because he is "well-positioned" to push for change at the U.N.

"The U.S. believes that a strong and vibrant U.N. is key to its goals ... but there is no doubt in anyone's mind that the U.N. needs reform," she said. While Bolton has been criticized by some, she noted, there are also many who "would walk through a wall for him."
Rice said Bush's policies to encourage democracy in Afghanistan, Iraq and throughout the Middle East have "set a new course for America … one which summons the highest ideals of our nation."

Rice, 50, a former Stanford Provost, was interrupted by at least four protesters wearing black hoods and robes who, at the beginning of her speech, stood on their seats with hands outstretched in various parts of the audience, attempting to evoke imagery from the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. The protesters, chanting, "Stop the Torture, U.S. out of Iraq," were led from the audience by police without incident. Rice proceeded with her address, but received applause when she acknowledged the disruption, saying, "Isn't it wonderful that we live in a country where people are allowed to speak?"

E-mail Carla Marinucci at cmarinucci@sfchronicle.com