Bolton Was ‘Inaccurate’ to Congress

WASHINGTON — John R. Bolton, the nominee for U.N. ambassador, inaccurately told Congress he had not been interviewed or testified in any investigation over the last five years, the State Department said Thursday, responding to a Democratic senator.

Bolton was interviewed by the State Department inspector general as part of a joint investigation with the Central Intelligence Agency related to Iraqi attempts to buy nuclear materials from Niger, State Department spokesman Noel Clay said.

When Bolton filled out a Senate questionnaire in connection with his nomination, “he didn’t recall being interviewed by the State Department’s inspector general. Therefore, his form, as submitted, was inaccurate,” Clay said. “He will correct it.”

The response came after Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) wrote to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asserting Bolton had been interviewed and suggesting he had not been truthful in his questionnaire.

Democrats are trying to persuade President Bush not to appoint Bolton on a temporary basis while Congress is on its summer recess.

Bolton’s nomination has been stalled for months. Rice refused to rule out a recess appointment.