29 March 2001 Bolton Echoes Bush, Powell Arms Control Views at Hearing by Ralph Dannheisser Washington File Congressional Correspondent Washington -- John Bolton, nominated by President Bush to be undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, hewed closely to policy positions previously enunciated by the President and Secretary of State Powell in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee March 29. But committee Democrats challenged Bolton on his own views on a number of key arms control-related issues, as expressed in his previous writings and speeches. In an opening statement to the committee, Bolton assured members that he believes "sound, verifiable arms control agreements and energetic nonproliferation strategies can and should be critical elements in American foreign policy." The nominee went on to quote Bush and Powell on a range of issues: he cited the president's expressed intent to reduce the number of U.S. nuclear weapons below START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) II levels; Powell's announced support for South Korea's efforts to engage the North, subject to "some concerns that exist;" the president's determination to build a missile defense system "at the earliest possible date;" and Powell's assertion that the 1972 ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty with Russia "needs to be modified or eliminated or changed in some rather fundamental way." On the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), he quoted Powell's statement that "we will not be asking for the Congress to ratify... (the treaty) in this session." And on China he said the administration "will watch closely to be sure that China is meeting its commitments." In a series of exchanges with committee Democrats, Bolton avoided moving far beyond those positions, repeatedly indicating that he would need to give further consideration to issues they raised before committing himself in detail. When, for example, the senior Democratic member, Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware, asked him whether he believes that the ABM Treaty currently remains in force, despite the demise of the Soviet Union -- with which it was negotiated -- he responded, "I don't have a final opinion on that subject." Again, when Biden asked whether the United States should continue to contribute to an international monitoring system regardless of whether the CTBT is submitted for approval, Bolton said a funding decision lies ahead, but "one doesn't take these steps precipitously." Senator John Kerry (Democrat, Massachusetts) quoted Bolton as having said that Clinton administration policies aimed at developing an opening toward North Korea are "egregiously wrong," that normalizing relations would be "entirely in their interest, not ours," and that South Korean President Kim Dae Jung's overtures to the North constitute appeasement, and pressed him on his current views. "I believed it when I said it," Bolton said. But, he added, given his new responsibilities if he is confirmed, he would act "as a loyal subordinate" and adhere to government policy on the so-called 1994 Framework Agreement. He said the opportunity for normalization "may arise down the road." The hearing produced its share of sharp exchanges. Senator Barbara Boxer (Democrat, California) joined in the critical examination of past statements by Bolton, quoting him as having said at one point that "There's no such thing as the United Nations" -- a position she characterized as "well outside the mainstream of America." Kerry, after his questioning of the nominee, said his testimony "fits a pattern of confirmation conversions" from previously espoused positions. "Those words sting," Bolton said, "and I don't believe they're accurate." The back-and-forth prompted Committee Chairman Jesse Helms (Republican, North Carolina), a strong supporter of Bolton, to tell him, "John, hold your ground. They're after you." Biden, who is looked to by his fellow Senate Democrats as a leader on foreign affairs issues, cited "major disagreements" with Bolton and told him, "I don't know if I'm going to vote for you." He stressed he did not question the nominee's competence, only his views. "My problem with you over the years has been that you're too competent" in advancing those positions, he said. Rather, "It's about how different your views are from views... we consider (to be) in the national interest," Biden added. First the committee and then the full Senate must vote on confirming Bolton. Return to the Washington File