Friday, May 13 2005 13:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: In an apparent snub to US President George W Bush, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has sent to the full Senate the nomination of John Bolton to be UN ambassador without recommending approval.

"It doesn't appear that Mr Bolton has the confidence of the majority of this committee," said Senator Joseph Biden, the senior Democrat on the panel. "And I would suggest that it may be worth the President's interest to take note of that."

However, as Republicans are in a majority, the full Senate is expected to give its approval to the appointment of the controversial and blunt-speaking diplomat.

Critics, backed by former staffers, have charged that Bolton, as Undersecretary of State, was rude to those junior to him and with whose opinions he disagreed, and that he gave his own interpretation as a hawk to intelligence reports.

Supporters, on the other hand, insisted that he is a man of enormous competence who is misunderstood because he presents his views with vigour, and that he is the right man for the UN at a time when it needs major reforms.

Soon after the Senate Committee action, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she was "pleased" that Bolton's nomination has gone to the full Senate for consideration.

"I recommended John for this critical position because he has the skill and dedication necessary to advance the President's reform agenda at the United Nations," she said, adding, "I hope the Senate will now move quickly to confirm him so that he can begin his work at the United Nations."