GOP supports Bolton threat

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Congressional Republicans said they support Ambassador John R. Bolton's threat to block the U.N. budget unless it adopts reforms, and they are ready to back him up if changes aren't made.

"Whatever it takes," said Rep. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican. "We desperately need to reform that body."

U.N. budgets are usually adopted by consensus, and Mr. Bolton has said he will not agree to a budget unless the United Nations overhauls its operations by creating an ethics office and increasing oversight of U.N. activities. Still, there is nothing in the U.N. Charter that would prevent a General Assembly vote, and Mr. Bolton would be hard-pressed to win majority support.

Should Mr. Bolton be foiled, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Tennessee Republican, will see what Congress can do to give Mr. Bolton extra tools to force reform, said Frist spokeswoman Amy Call.

"As Frist understands it, Bolton is not trying to shut the U.N. down, but simply spur it into action so that it can be a more effective institution," she said. "If the U.N. doesn't take action, we anticipate the Congress will increasingly involve itself in this issue as well."

In June, the House passed a bill that would withhold half of the United States' annual dues unless the United Nations takes 46 specific steps. The administration would have to certify that the United Nations met those demands by 2008 or half the U.S. dues, which make up 22 percent of the United Nations' operating budget, would be withheld.

The House vote was 221-184, with even opponents saying they wanted reform but didn't want to tie the administration's hands.

Yesterday, Rep. Tom Lantos of California, the top Democrat on the International Relations Committee, said reforms are critical but Mr. Bolton might be going about it the wrong way.

"I continue to believe that the only way that this reform can be achieved is with the support of other reform-minded countries at the U.N. If Ambassador Bolton's approach is dividing that critical coalition, he should consider changing course," Mr. Lantos said.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, agreed.