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President Bush Appoints John Bolton as U.N. Ambassador; Eight- Year-Old Missing Girl Reunited With Mother; Retirees Going Back to School

Aired August 01, 2005 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now because it is "a critical time at the United Nations." It is also the day before President Bush goes to Crawford, Texas, and John Bolton, presumably, will be heading to New York.
Daryn.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Bob, thank you.

Just about 30 seconds here before we expect to see the president.

Andrea, some news coming out from the State Department saying that there was a questionnaire that John Bolton answered say he had never taken part in any kind of investigation over the last five years. What's that news out of the State Department, please?

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it actually came out from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It's just pro forma any time you testify for a nomination. Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, or any other committee, you sign apparently this form that says that you have never given an affidavit or had to testify in any kind of investigation in the last five years. John Bolton signed this saying he hadn't. Turns out a couple of years ago he did give some kind of private testimony to the inspector general here at the State Department regarding whether or not there was uranium, I believe it was, in Niger.

So it, you know, it was one of those sort of Democrats trying to split hairs really at the last minute. It was an 11th-hour attempt primarily by Senator Barbara Boxer of California to try to keep what we're about to see happen go forward.

KAGAN: And let's go ahead and listen in.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Nearly five months ago, I nominated John Bolton to be America's ambassador to the United Nations.

I chose John because of his vast experience in foreign policy, his integrity and his willingness to confront difficult problems head on.

I told the nation that John Bolton would provide clear American leadership for reform at the United Nations. I told them that he would insist upon results. The United States Senate held thorough confirmation hearings and a majority of United States senators agree that he is the right man for the job. Yet, because of partisan delaying tactics by a handful of senators, John was unfairly denied the up-or-down vote that he deserves.

BUSH: As a result, America has now gone more than six months without a permanent ambassador to the United Nations.

This post is too important to leave vacant any longer, especially during a war and a vital debate about U.N. reform. So today I've used my constitutional authority to appoint John Bolton to serve as America's ambassador to the United Nations.

John Bolton will be an important member of my State Department team, led by Condoleezza Rice.

I'm sending Ambassador Bolton to New York with my complete confidence.

Ambassador Bolton believes passionately in the goals of the United Nations Charter, to advance peace and liberty and human rights.

BUSH: His mission is now to help the U.N. reform itself to renew its founding promises for the 21st century.

He will speak for me on critical issues facing the international community. And he'll make it clear that America values the potential of the United Nations to be a source of hope and dignity and peace.

As he embarks on his new assignment, Ambassador Bolton will bring tremendous wisdom and expertise.

Over the past two decades, John Bolton has been one of America's most talented and successful diplomats. He's been a tireless defender of our nation's values and a persuasive advocate for freedom and peace.

BUSH: As a senior leader at the State Department in the 1980s and 1990s, he brought people together to achieve meaningful results at the United Nations: from resolving payment issues to helping rally the coalition in the Persian Gulf War to repealing a shameful resolution that equated Zionism with racism.

And over the past four years as undersecretary of state, he's shown valuable leadership on one of the most urgent challenges of our time: preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

Ambassador Bolton takes up his duties at a time of opportunity for the United States and the United Nations. America and the U.N. are working to spread democracy, relieve hunger and assist the victims of disaster.

We've delivered hope to millions suffering from HIV/AIDS and other deadly diseases. BUSH: We've helped to lay the groundwork for two landmark events in the history of liberty: the free elections of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Ambassador Bolton will work to build on that progress by helping the U.N. continue to find effective new ways to match its good intentions with good results.

As the newest member of America's diplomatic corps, Ambassador Bolton will defend our nation's interests with character and resolve that were instilled early in life.

John's father was a firefighter. His mother was a homemaker who took her son to the public library to show him the value of education.

I know that Jack and Virginia Bolton would be proud today to see the boy they raised in Baltimore appointed to serve as our permanent representative to the United Nations.

BUSH: I'm grateful to John's wife Gretchen for being here with us, and to the entire Bolton family for their service and sacrifice.

Mr. Ambassador, thank you for agreeing to serve your nation once again. And congratulations.

JOHN BOLTON, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: Mr. President, Madam Secretary, my wife Gretchen, our daughter J.S. in absentia, I am profoundly honored -- indeed, humbled -- by the confidence that you have shown by appointing me to serve as the United States permanent representative to the United Nations.

You have made your directions for U.S. policy at the United Nations clear, and I am prepared to work tirelessly to carry out the agenda and initiatives that you and Secretary Rice direct.

BOLTON: We seek a stronger, more effective organization true to the ideals of its founders and agile enough to act in the 21st century.

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

My deepest thanks to you both for the opportunity to continue to serve America.

BUSH: Thanks, John.

BOLTON: Thank you, sir.

BUSH: Thank you all.

KAGAN: A few short words from Ambassador John Bolton. President Bush using his constitutional authority under Article 2 to do a recess appointment, ending five months of a controversial nomination that never got the up or down vote that President Bush wanted for John Bolton out of the U.S. Senate.

Let's go to our Bob Franken once again to talk to about the recess nomination, how it came to this point and exactly the maneuvers that the president's using to have the man that he's choosing go represent the U.S. at the United Nations.

FRANKEN: First of all, according to the president, the reason to do this now is "it's too important to leave this position open any longer." In response to the charges that this will undermine credibility in Bolton, the president said, as his press secretary did this morning, that Bolton will enjoy the "complete confidence of the president of the United States." Bolton will have "a mission to help the United Nations reform itself." As a matter of fact, the argument that Republican have made is that this man who is known to being abrasive is somebody who's exactly the type who is needed to try and ramrod through very difficult to achieve reforms at the U.N.

Now, Bolton spoke just a moment ago and those of us who know him heard a word that you don't often hear from his lips, the word humble. Bolton is somebody who operates with a lot of confidence. Somebody, by the way, who has maintained relations with the press throughout his career in Washington. He says that he views his job as a need to create a stronger, more effective organization. Meaning the United Nations.

Of course, now the Democrats are going to have a field day with this saying that a recess appointment is the a sign of weakness, a sign of weakness that Bolton is going to carry when he guess to the U.N., a weakness perception that is going to undermine his credibility. The recess appointment, as you pointed, out in the Constitution. It allows the president, in certain circumstances, to make an appointment when the Congress is not here for the Senate to do its advise and consent function.

It's an appointment that lasts until the end of 2006, the beginning of 2007. That, again, will be a charge by the Democrats that that is going to undermine Bolton's credible. But credibility is a problem that Bolton is going to have to take along with his aggressiveness.

Daryn.

KAGAN: And he'll take it on his way to New York City, where the president says he is on his way.

Bob Franken, thank you.

Let's bring in our senior political analyst Bill Schneider to talk about the ramifications of this.

Bill, recess appointments. This is something modern presidents use all the time. President Clinton did it 140 times. President Bush has already done it 106. And yet this case is getting a lot more attention. Why is that?

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, for one thing, this is the highest level recess appointment in any recent years under any recent president. There have been ambassadors to mostly smaller countries appointed through recess appointment, and assistant secretary of state, assistant attorney general. That's been done. But a U.N. ambassador in a major, diplomatic position, that is actually quite rare. And no U.N. ambassador has ever been appointed by recess appointment.

KAGAN: And so the president able to do this because Congress is on recess.

SCHNEIDER: Yes.

KAGAN: Coming back, coming up, probably the most important thing in the next month or so is the confirmation hearings for John Roberts to take the place on the Supreme Court. Do you think this move by President Bush could affect that process?

SCHNEIDER: Yes, I do. I think it will anger Democrats. Democrats had been holding up the Bolton nomination. And, you know, Democrats don't have enough votes to stop Bolton, as the president said. He said it's a partisan delaying tactic by a handful of senators.

And they don't, of course, have enough votes to stop the confirmation of John Roberts to the Supreme Court but they do have a weapon. They can filibuster. And I think this appointment, at least marginally, increases the likelihood of a filibuster of Roberts, particularly if they don't get the Democratic minority does not get the documents they're seeking from the administration about Roberts' past.

There are a lot of documents they've been seeking about Bolton that they were unable to get and that could be an argument for a filibuster. This nomination could start a political arm's race here in Washington that might end with the nuclear option. That is, a shutdown of the filibuster for judicial nominations by the Republican majority.

KAGAN: You say could start a political arms race. Can't you make the case that one's been going on now for months?

SCHNEIDER: Well, you're quite right. I stand corrected.

KAGAN: Not my role to correct you, but . . .

SCHNEIDER: It could ratchet up . . .

KAGAN: OK.

SCHNEIDER: A political arms race. But, of course, the ultimate result could be, I'm not predicting this but I'm saying it could be, that Democrats angry about this could choose to filibuster the Roberts' nomination. If they do that, then the Republican majority might impose the have reserved the right impose the so-called nuclear option by which they vote by majority to disallow filibusters of judicial nominations. In that case, the tensions and the anger would just go up enormously here in Washington.

KAGAN: Bill Schneider in Washington.

And for the record, Bill, it is I who always learn from you. Thank you.

SCHNEIDER: Thanks.

KAGAN: Let's go to the United Nations. Our Richard Roth standing by.

Richard, looking at the calendar here, President Bush saying some big, important things coming up for the United Nations. Why so important to get John Bolton in place?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, in mid-September, you have the 60th anniversary of the United Nations. Normally this would be a big, happy ceremony but there's a lot of scandal here at the United Nations in the last year and a half and there's a lot of fighting over new seats on the important U.N. Security Council. And also, Bolton doesn't have much time. I mean he's only going to be here at minimum for a year and a half. So for John Bolton, who President Bush just said he's going to insist upon results, he wants to get things done pretty quickly, but that doesn't always happen here at the U.N.

KAGAN: Right. And he's going to be I mean he has until a year and a half until this Congress would come up. It's possible he could be there longer. But under terms of this recess appointment, that's as long as we know.

ROTH: And various countries here, I mean, they're going to welcome him. They've been waiting long enough. They always thought in the end he was somehow going to be here. Many of the ambassadors on the Security Council have already worked with Bolton in various other United Nations organizations years ago. They say he was tough, the would fight, but, look, it's the world of diplomacy. They're ready to deal with anybody.

KAGAN: All right. Richard Roth at the United Nations. We'll be talking with you later in the morning as well.

Thank you, Richard.

Other international news concerning the U.S., a key date for U.S. policy in Iraq coming up. Iraq's new government facing a deadline for the country's new constitution. Will officials finish it in time? We're going to have a live report from Baghdad for you.

After a major search, a missing girl from Nevada is found in Mexico. Hear how authorities tracked her down.

And a new study suggesting hurricanes have become more powerful. The research also points to what could be the cause. Details on that right after the break.

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KAGAN: They already ripped the roofs off of buildings and tossed cars and planes around like toys. Now a new study suggests global warming could make hurricanes even more ferocious. The study notes that major storms in the Atlantic and Pacific have increased in length and intensity since the 1970s and that could be because of higher average temperatures of the ocean's surface and increases in global average atmospheric temperatures. One study's opinion.

Jacqui Jeras is here to let us know also that there are other opinions out there.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: To California now. A Boy Scout troop is expected to hold its regular meeting this Wednesday despite a recent brush with tragedy. Many Scouts remembering Steven McCullagh, an assistant scout master, who was killed by lightning last Thursday, and 13-year-old Ryan Collins who died from the lightning strike on Friday. It happened in the Sequoia National Park. Many scouts attended a service on Saturday in honor of those who were killed.

To Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park. Helicopters, dogs and search crews will be out again today looking for a ranger who's been missing since Friday. Officials say 31-year-old Jeff Crutchenson (ph) was last seen leaving a trailhead in the park's northern section. Crutchenson is described as an experienced mountaineer and searchers are hopeful because the weather has been good.

To Nevada now. An eight-year-old girl is back home ending a disturbing tale of abduction and abuse, allegedly by the mother's live-in boyfriend, a convicted sex offender. Here now is CNN's Jen Rogers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEN ROGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): It was a reunion neither mother nor daughter will ever likely forget. After eight agonizing days, a mother had her little girl backing in her arms again.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I wanted to thank everybody, the police in Mexico, all the authorities, everybody that helped me finding my daughter.

ROGERS: Police say Fernando Aguerro, the mother's live-in boyfriend, disappeared with the eight-year-old on July 22nd, allegedly taking her birth certificate, social security card, photos and even her dog. It was Mexican authorities who found the two in a low-income shelter in Ensenada after locals recognize them from photographs on filers that had been distributed. Police who questioned Aguerro say he admitted to sexually abusing the young girl while he was living with the family near Reno.

ANTONIO MARTINEZ, ATTY. GENERAL, BAJA, CALIFORNIA: When we interviewed him with the district attorney's office, he said that four months previous to today he had sexually assaulted or molested the little girl. And that he decided to bring her to Mexico.

ROGERS: Despite several efforts, CNN was unable to confirm whether Aguerro has an attorney. The victim's mother said she had no idea Aguerro was a convicted sex offender or that he posed a risk to her daughter.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He loved her. They were very close. They became like father and daughter. They got along really well.

CAPT. JEFF PAGE, LYON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: This man was a predator, a manipulator. He spent a great deal of time working his way into this family. He had planned this abduction for quite some time.

ROGERS: If convicted, authorities say Aguerro could face up to 38 years in a Mexican prison. U.S. and Mexican officials will likely meet next month to discuss extradition issue as well.

Jen Rogers for CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Health and business news ahead. Hey, there's a surprise out there for anyone who follows diet trends. Atkins is facing filing for bankruptcy. Stay tuned to find out more about how that happened.

And if you've graduated from work and want to go back to school, you're not alone. Gerri Willis is here with some advice for you.

Hey, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Daryn, good to see you.

Back to school season? It's not just for kids anymore. We'll tell you more when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

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KAGAN: Let's go ahead and check out latest numbers on Wall Street. The markets have been open we're getting kind of close to an hour. The Dow is up a few points. It's up three. The Nasdaq is up more significantly as techs leading the advance in the market today. The Nasdaq is up 11 points.

August 1st. It won't be long before college students head back to campus. Among them will be a growing legion of retirees who are eager to hit the books. Our Personal Finance Editor Gerri Willis has today's "Top Five Tips" for getting the most out of being an elder student.

There has to be a better name than elder student, Ger?

WILLIS: I can't agree with you more.

KAGAN: A senior. WILLIS: How about experienced student?

KAGAN: Experienced. I like it.

WILLIS: Yes.

KAGAN: I like it. It's a good tip.

WILLIS: First, tip number one, learn for less. I mean, think about it. You can actually sit in on classes at some schools and pay nothing or very little for the privilege. I'll tell you why. Colleges and universities are finding out that it's better to have fewer more people in the classroom rather than fewer, so they're eager to get some of these elder students or senior students into the classroom. Contact your local admission's office to find out if a school near you is one that will welcome you with open arms.

KAGAN: And, in fact, some states are doing what they can to get seniors back on campus.

WILLIS: Yes, you bet. You may be eligible for a scholarship if what you really want to do is get a diploma. Now you'll need to contact the universities that you want to attend to find out if you're eligible for something like that. Other Web sites to go to to find out more about scholarships, usafunds.collegeanswer.com is a great place to go. And think about cashing in on the experience you already have. You might be able to test out of some classes at collegeboard.com.

KAGAN: What if you're not really mobile?

WILLIS: Well, if you're not mobile and if you don't have a university near you, and plenty of people are in that situation, you might want to do what they call distance learning. That means getting your degree online. It happens all the time. To find out more go to chea.org. Now this is the Web site for the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. You want to make sure that the online university you sign up for is accredited because there are some people out there saying they're a university and they're not really.

KAGAN: Now there are some seniors out there who I think would be excited about the idea but they're thinking, oh, the last time I took a test. A little rusty on those skills.

WILLIS: Exactly. And can't you relate to that feeling?

KAGAN: Oh, yes.

WILLIS: If you want to study on the road, you might want to become part of elder hostile (ph) program. And the beauty of these is they do all kinds of traveling all over the place. At home, abroad, in Europe, you name it. Go to elderhostile.org for details. You can find out how to sign up for a jazz class in New Orleans or maybe how to go to Europe on the cheep. Now these programs cost anywhere from $60 to $4,000. So you'll definitely want to pay attention to the details and read all about it. KAGAN: Sign me up now. Sounds good.

Thank you, Ger. Good to see you.

WILLIS: Thank you.

KAGAN: Well, you might be wondering why the death of the king of Saudi Arabia matters to you at home. A couple questions to consider. Could his passing help push through a Mid-East peace deal and could it affect the price of oil? CNN's Arab Affairs Senior Editor, Octavia Nasser (ph), will join me in just a moment to talk about that.

And what if I told you this video was shot at a spot where there might be buried treasure? They say this could be the former home of the pirate Blackbeard's mistress. Details on that just ahead.

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