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Britain's 'Iron Lady' comes to Bolton's defense
Thu May 5, 2005 05:26 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has thrown her weight behind the troubled nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
In a letter to Bolton made available to reporters on Thursday, Thatcher praised his candor and intellect and said she could not imagine anyone better suited for the job.
Bolton's nomination has been dogged by allegations that he bullied State Department subordinates and tried to pressure analysts to write reports that conform to his hard-line views.
Thatcher, nicknamed the "Iron Lady," told Bolton "how strongly" she supported him for the job, saying "on the basis of our years of friendship, I know from experience the great qualities you will bring to that demanding post."
"To combine, as you do, clarity of thought, courtesy of expression and an unshakable commitment to justice is rare in any walk of life. But it is particularly so in international affairs," Thatcher said.
"A capacity for straight talking rather than peddling half-truths is a strength and not a disadvantage in diplomacy," she added.
"Those same qualities are also required for any serious reform of the United Nations ... I cannot imagine anyone better fitted to undertake these tasks than you," she said, signing her letter "All good wishes, yours ever, Margaret."
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to vote on Bolton's nomination on May 12.
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