US President George W. Bush will nominate Undersecretary of State John Bolton to be the new American ambassador to the United Nations, senior State Department officials said on Monday.

Bolton is an experienced diplomat and government official, having held high posts in three Republican administrations, starting with Ronald Reagan's. He has drawn criticism from Senate Democrats for his strong conservative views and his unvarnished expression of them.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will make the announcement later in the day, informed sources said. Rice recognized Bolton's outspokenness today as she announced the appointment. "Some of our best ambassadors" to the United Nations have been those with "the strongest voices," Rice said.

Bolton has publicly advocated Taiwan's membership in the United Nations and other positions opposed by key Security Council members. He has led U.S. opposition to the International Criminal Court, which enjoys broad support at the United Nations.

Some UN ambassadors said they expected Bolton would have to moderate his views on the United Nations. "When you're outside the United Nations you can be a very strong critic," said Algeria's UN ambassador, Abdallah Baali. But "when you join the UN and you work with UN people then you progressively change your attitude."

If confirmed by the Senate, Bolton would replace John C. Danforth as UN ambassador. Danforth is resigning.

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2005)