I do not know whether John Bolton is diplomatic or not, but I know that what he told CNN the day of the Pierre Gemayel killing was brilliant:
GORANI: (…) Your reaction, John Bolton?
JOHN BOLTON, U.S. AMB. TO U.N.: Well, this is obviously a great tragedy. Shocking, potentially devastating to the government of Lebanon.
The White House warned about two weeks ago that Syria and Iran, acting through Hezbollah, might be on the verge of an attempted coup d’etat in Lebanon. One has to wonder whether this — this despicable assassination is not the first shot.
GORANI: So do you think Syria was behind this?
BOLTON: Well, you can’t say for certain, obviously. But it’s an interesting coincidence that eight of the last political assassinations in Lebanon have all been conducted against anti-Syrian politicians. One can follow the logic there, I think.
GORANI: So if it is found that Syria or Syrian agents inside of Lebanon had something to do with this or other assassinations, what should happen, in your opinion?
BOLTON: Well, you know, right here today, literally, as we’re speaking in the Security Council, we’re trying to reach an agreement on establishing an international tribunal for the prosecution of those responsible for the terrorist assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, and indeed the possibility of these other terrorist assassinations as well.
The sad event in Beirut today couldn’t be stronger evidence for why we need to get this tribunal established as soon as possible.
GORANI: Now, some on the Security Council say no, no, no, this is exactly the wrong time to push through the Hariri tribunal, there’s too much instability inside of Lebanon. Why not put it on hold?
BOLTON: Sure, why not put justice on hold forever? That’s one theory.
I think we’re very close to agreement in the Security Council. Lebanon needs those responsible for conducting these assassinations brought to justice. How else can you create a democratic and peaceful society unless the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are brought to justice?
GORANI: Now, on this day, the day Pierre Gemayel was assassinated in Beirut, the Lebanese cabinet is essentially on the verge of collapse. You had the resignation of Shiite ministers, even a Christian minister who was pro-Syrian. Will it survive? Do you think there will be a coup in Lebanon?
BOLTON: I don’t think there’s any doubt that this is a direct assault on the democratic government and the supporters of democracy in Lebanon. We certainly hope that the democratically-elected government survives.
That’s one reason why the Security Council needs to act today toe create this tribunal of an international character. This is not the time to be deterred or be intimidated by these acts of political assassination.
GORANI: But if this tribunal is opposed by so many in Lebanon, the Shiites, Hezbollah, Amal, other pro-Syrians who say it’s illegitimate because it was passed by an illegitimate government that have suffered resignations, then wouldn’t it create more conflict in Lebanon?
BOLTON: If you give in to those who threaten and kill, you’re going to get the kind of government that they expect. It’s for those courageous people who stand up for democracy and justice who are trying to push this through. And ultimately, it will be a decision of the parliament of Lebanon if they choose to accept this tribunal, assuming that more of them have not been assassinated.
GORANI: Do you have any fears looking at this from the outside as the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. that as a result of these political assassinations there will be another civil conflict in Lebanon soon?
BOLTON: Ms. Gorani, don’t you think that assassination amounts to civil conflict now? What else would you call it?
Those responsible are conducting war against the government of Lebanon and against the pro-democracy forces. The question is whether the pro-democracy forces can withstand this. And it seems to me, it is the duty of the Security Council to stand with them.
GORANI: My question was referring to an all-out civil conflict, such as the one we saw in the ’70s and ’80s.
BOLTON: Hezbollah has already threatened that. That’s why the White House gave that warning of the attempted coup d’etat. And you’ll notice that over the weekend, the leader of Hezbollah called on their supporters to engage in “peaceful demonstrations,” but with the aim of bringing down the government.
GORANI: So do you have a fear for the all-out civil conflict for Lebanon?
BOLTON: I think the risk is that Syria and Iran, acting through Hezbollah, are trying to accomplish that right now. And the issue whether those who believe in democracy and those in the international community that support democracy can stand against it.
GORANI: All right.
John Bolton, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Thanks for joining us on CNN.
BOLTON: Thank you.”
(…)
QUESTION: There are those on the Security Council who say now is not the time to push ahead with the tribunal given the instability in Lebanon.
BOLTON: How incredibly wrong that would be. How incredibly wrong that would be.
Instability? They’re killing people in Lebanon. They’re assassinating political leaders.
Not the time to seek justice? There may be those on the Security Council who say it. Let them step forward and say it.