Washington/New York - John Bolton, US President George W Bush's contentious and outspoken choice as United Nations ambassador, has given up his post in the face of stiff opposition in Congress, the White House said Monday.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton speaks after the U.N. Security Council voted to require Iran to stop its nuclear program, at the United Nations in New York in this July 31, 2006 file photo. Facing opposition from key senators, Bolton will leave office in a matter of days, the White House announced on December 4, 2006. REUTERS/Chip East/Files
A critic of the United Nations and a prominent conservative, Bolton was named by Bush in August 2005 in what was billed as a US push for reform at the world body. Bush used his constitutional authority to appoint Bolton, 58, to the job during a legislative recess after Senate Democrats blocked the nomination.
Bush said he was 'deeply disappointed' and accepted Bolton's decision to withdraw his nomination 'with deep regret.' Bolton's term expires with the current session of Congress, which ends in January.
Bush accused Democrats of disrupting US diplomatic efforts as his administration tries to win Security Council consensus on crucial issues, including Iran's nuclear activities.
'This stubborn obstructionism ill serves our country, and discourages men and women of talent from serving their nation,' Bush said.
Any chances that Bolton, an ally of Vice President Dick Cheney, might win confirmation evaporated when the Democrats won control of both congressional houses in November 7 elections. Bolton would have had to be confirmed by the Senate to remain on the job into the next session of Congress.
Democrats opposed Bolton over allegations he verbally abused employees at the State Department and tried to sack individuals who disagreed with his views. Democrats also portrayed Bolton as hostile toward the United Nations and too temperamental for the sensitive diplomatic job.
Bolton's retreat was the second setback for Bush in less than a month. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the chief architect of the US war in Iraq, announced his resignation the day after the elections.
In a letter of resignation released by the White House, Bolton said he had served 'in a time of peril and challenge' and reached his decision 'after careful consideration.'
Bolton helped lead US diplomacy on a series of critical issues at the United Nations, including resolutions designed to counter nuclear activities by Iran and North Korea. He was involved in efforts to press Sudan to allow peacekeepers into war-torn Darfur.
Bolton also was Bush's point man in pushing for UN reform after an inquiry into the Iraq oil-for-food programme exposed corruption and mismanagment. The UN's main human rights body was overhauled during his tenure, though the US disagreed with details of the reform.
'I am deeply disappointed that a handful of United States senators prevented Ambassador Bolton from receiving the up or down vote he deserved in the Senate,' Bush said in a prepared statement.
It was not immediately clear who would replace Bolton, formerly the State Department's top arms control official.
Outgoing UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, with whom Bolton often clashed, spoke of the US envoy in ambivalent terms.
'Ambassador Bolton did the job he was expected to do. He came at a time when we had lots of tough issues,' Annan said. 'As a representative of the US government, he pressed ahead with the instructions that he had been given and tried to work as effectively as he could with the other ambassadors.'
In New York, UN diplomats portrayed Bolton as effective in pushing for reform at the world organization. Japanese ambassador Kenzo Oshima, whose country mostly shared Bolton's tough stance on North Korea, said he was 'very grateful' for the ambassador's work.
'He has been exceptionally skilful diplomat at the United Nations at a time when the UN faced very challenging issues, like reform,' Oshima said.
'I had always great admiration for his diplomatic skills and the reservoir of knowledge that he easily brought to bear on the deliberations,' he added.
Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya, who was often at odds with Bolton over Iran and human rights issues in Sudan and Myanmar, offered praise for his American counterpart.
'I regret that he's resigning, he works very hard and has his own style,' Wang said.
Argentinian UN Ambassador Cesar Mayoral concurred with Wang that Bolton work hard to change the UN. 'I work very well with him,' he said.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
Your Talkback on this Story