Bolton Having a UN-Inspired Effect

Whether the Dems like it or not, President Bush's pick for US Ambassador to the United Nations is beginning to bring about the desired result: much needed change in the international organization:

Following intense US pressure, the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday issued an unprecedented condemnation of Monday's Hizbullah attacks on northern Israel.

This condemnation - slamming Hizbullah by name for "acts of hatred" - marked the first time the Security Council has ever reprimanded Hizbullah for cross-border attacks on Israel. The condemnation followed by two days a failed attempt to get a condemnation issued on Monday, the day of the attack, when Algeria came out against any mention of Hizbullah in the statement.

When asked what changed from Monday to Wednesday, one diplomatic official replied: "John Bolton," a reference to the US ambassador to the UN. Bolton lobbied vigorously for the passage of the statement.

Not only did the UN Security Council issue this unprecedented condemnation of Hizbullah's attacks, but they did so without balancing with any reprimand to Israel for its military response, for the first time ever placing "full responsibility for the violence on Hizbullah's shoulders."

Another recent UN first:

The statement against Hizbullah came just a few weeks after the Security Council condemned Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his call to wipe Israel off the map. That was also a precedent-setting condemnation, marking the first time the UN body ever condemned an Islamic state for statements against Israel.

And Mr. Bolton is making his presence known in other areas of UN business as well, including the budget reform, political repression and human rights abuses in Myanmar (formerly Burma), and even (gasp!) corruption and mismanagement within the halls of the UN itself.


Hat-tip to Pat at Brainster's Blog.