Trouble hits Bolton nomination

WASHINGTON — Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., signaled yesterday that his support for the nomination of John Bolton as U.N. ambassador was wavering after new reports that Bolton had ordered an intelligence analyst removed from his job.

The analyst, a State Department employee who now works on Hagel's Senate staff, is the third intelligence analyst who was reported to have been threatened or intimidated by Bolton, who has served since 2001 as undersecretary of state for arms control and international security.

"Sen. Hagel is likely to be supportive [of Bolton], but he needs to be assured there are not additional serious areas of concern," Hagel spokesman Mike Buttry said yesterday, adding Hagel was "troubled" by the new information.

Posing potential new problems, Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are investigating as many as five additional incidents in which Bolton's demeanor toward State Department subordinates has been questioned, according to Senate staff members from both parties. In a confirmation hearing this week, testimony indicated Bolton demanded the removal of two intelligence analysts who disagreed with him.

Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.: Support wavering?

Until yesterday, the only Republican believed to be wavering was Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, who has said he is inclined to vote for Bolton but has not made up his mind. Hagel's remarks served as a warning that confirmation, which had been considered assured, could falter if Democrats succeed in producing more evidence against Bolton.

Democrats contend that Bolton's harsh criticisms of the United Nations and testimony that he "bullied" underlings make him unsuitable for the top U.N. job. Republicans have countered that Bolton is the victim of character assassination and is precisely the kind of tough man needed to reform the troubled world body.