WASHINGTON, Aug 1: US President George Bush on Monday bypassed the Senate and installed a controversial neo-conservative, John Bolton, as ambassador to the UN. Appearing at White House’s Roosevelt Room, with Mr Bolton at his side, President Bush declared: “Today I’ve used my constitutional authority to appoint John Bolton to serve as America’s ambassador to the United Nations.”

He said the post was ‘too important to leave vacant any longer, especially during a war and a vital debate about UN reform’. Mr Bush took advantage of his power to fill vacancies without Senate approval while Congress is in recess.

Under the constitution, Mr Bolton’s recess appointment during the senators’ August break will last until the next session of Congress.

“I am sending John to the UN with my complete confidence ... He will provide clear US leadership for reform. He will insist on results,” said Mr Bush.

“His mission now is to 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.”

Mr Bolton, 56, responded to Mr Bush’s remarks with a sense of gratitude and pledged to do his best to justify the confidence shown in him.

“I am profoundly grateful and deeply humbled. It will be a distinct privilege to be an advocate for America’s values and interests at the UN,” he said.

Mr Bush said Mr Bolton, in his current role as undersecretary of state for arms control, had shown ‘leadership preventing the spread of weapons of mass Destruction’. It is the 106th recess appointment for Mr Bush.

Former president Clinton made 140 recess appointments during his two terms in office.

Mr Bolton is heading to the United Nations with the blessing of the US president, but without confirmation from the Senate after Democrats twice blocked a confirmation vote.

For four months, Senate Democrats questioned Mr Bolton’s temper and treatment of staff aides. They also said they need more documents relating to Mr Bolton’s term as undersecretary for arms control and international security.

The anti-Bolton push ramped up again last week when it was revealed that Mr Bolton answered a question inaccurately on a form submitted to the Senate in March. During confirmation hearings even a senator of the Republican Party, George Voinovich, expressed hesitation about confirming Mr Bolton.

Mr Voinovich prevented a favourable recommendation to emerge for Mr Bolton out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has a 10-8 advantage of Republicans over Democrats.

“I am truly concerned that a recess appointment will only add to John Bolton’s baggage and his lack of credibility with the United Nations,” Mr Voinovich said in response to President Bush’s move.

But Mr Bush said some lawmakers, who used delaying tactics to prevent a vote on Mr Bolton, forced him to make a recess appointment.

“Because of partisan delaying tactics by a handful of senators, John was denied the up or down vote that he deserves,” Mr Bush said on Monday.

When Mr Bolton’s nomination was announced in March, critics said it signalled Mr Bush’s desire to destroy the scandal-ridden UN.