WASHINGTON, April 23: Former US secretary of state Colin Powell has quietly given advice to American lawmakers that goes against John R. Bolton’s nomination as US ambassador to the United Nations. Mr Powell told at least two key Republican senators that Mr Bolton is a smart but “very problematic” government official, congressional aides told reporters.

President George Bush nominated Mr Bolton, currently undersecretary of state for arms control, to represent his country at the United Nations.

Earlier this week the Senate committee delayed until next month a final vote on Mr Bolton’s nomination.

In a 1994 speech at the World Federalist Association, Mr Bolton declared that “there is no such thing as the United Nations”. He added: “If the UN secretariat building in New York lost 10 storeys, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference.”

In another speech, he insisted that “the UN is valuable only when it directly serves the United States”.

Mr Bolton has been accused of mistreating subordinates and misleading members about the handling of classified material. Initially, Democrats opposed Mr Bolton because of his negative comments about the United Nations. Their attack now centres on his character and temperament.