US President George W. Bush yesterday sidestepped the Senate and directly appointed John Bolton as the new US ambassador to the UN. 

"This post is too important to leave vacant any longer, especially during a war and a vital debate about UN reform," Bush said while appointing Bolton the UN job.

Bush used his Congressional authority and the power of recess appointment to appoint Bolton the job. Under the Constitution, a recess appointment during the lawmakers' August break will last until the next session of Congress, which begins in January 2007.

For his part, Bolton said he was honored and humbled by the president's appointment.

"It will be a distinct privilege to be an advocate for America's values and interests at the UN and, in the words of the UN Charter, to help maintain international peace and security," he said.

Bolton has been criticized for trying to shape intelligence estimates on Cuba, Syria and other issues to reflect his own views and having a history of berating people he worked with and of seeking to remove those who disagree with him.

(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2005)