Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Bolton Tried to Have Intelligence Analyst Fired

"I believe the case for the existence of a developmental Cuba (biological weapons research and development) effort is strong," said John Bolton, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security. Bolton made the allegations as part of a 25-page report on the development and spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

-Am

Bolton Tried to Have Intelligence Analyst Fired
By VOA News
12 April 2005


A former U.S. State Department official says President Bush's nominee for ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, tried to have an intelligence analyst fired after the man challenged Mr. Bolton's assertion that Cuba possessed banned weapons.

The official, Carl Ford, made the statement Tuesday, saying the incident brings up real questions in his mind about whether Mr. Bolton is suitable for the U.N. post. Mr. Ford is a former assistant secretary of state.

That 2002 incident has been the focus of day two of Mr. Bolton's confirmation hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Mr. Bolton, who is an undersecretary of state, testified before the committee Monday. He said he only tried to have the analyst reassigned, not fired.

Democrats who oppose Mr. Bolton say he may be too outspoken and confrontational to be ambassador. But Republicans, who control the Senate, appear likely to approve the nomination.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-04-12voa140.cfm