Didn't take Bolton long to foment a UN showdown

nothing bolton would like better, i'm sure, than to do a re-enactment of "gunfight at the ok corral," where he can face all our ex-allies off in the street and gun 'em down with twin six-guns blazing... but, guess what...? the u.k. has decided not to be the trusty sidekick on this one... oughta be interesting, come monday...

Britain will join an international alliance to confront George Bush and salvage as much as possible of an ambitious plan to reshape the United Nations and tackle world poverty next week .

The head-to-head in New York on Monday comes after the revelation that the US administration is proposing wholesale changes to crucial parts of the biggest overhaul of the UN since it was founded more than 50 years ago.

[...]

it was revealed this week that Mr Bush's new ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, was seeking 750 changes to the 36-page draft plan to be presented to a special summit in New York on September 14 to 16. Mr Bolton's amendments, if successful, would leave the plan in tatters.

[...]

The Foreign Office confirmed yesterday that Britain was standing behind the original plan, putting it at odds with Mr Bush.

The concern in British and other international circles is that the American objections, if adopted, would severely undermine the UN summit, the biggest-ever gathering of world leaders.

At least 175 world leaders have accepted an invitation to attend. The UN said yesterday that Mr Bush had confirmed that he would be there.

[...]

Mr Bolton's comments provoked a negative reaction from many agencies involved in development work.

Martin Kirk, the public affairs adviser of Save the Children, said this year had promised so much for the world's poor, but, "instead of a breakthrough we are now looking at a possible retreat from the millennium development goals by the UN".

Nicola Reindorp, the head of Oxfam International's New York office, said: "We are less than three weeks away from the UN world summit and the next two weeks are crucial in determining the outcome ... If the US and other governments substantially weaken the outcome document, the summit will result in failure."

let's cut the crap, shall we...? bushco doesn't have the slightest bit of interest in un reform... it's all about bringing it to a halt and laying the groundwork for a u.s. withdrawal from any meaningful participation, citing un corruption, bureaucracy and instransigence... what other earthly purpose would be served by dishing up a huge platter of recommended changes at the last minute after u.s. negotiators had spent months helping craft the current document...?

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