Former Israeli Ambassador Has No Problem with President Bush Nominating a Muslim as U.N. Ambassador

An author and former Israeli ambassador says he has no problem with the fact that President Bush may be likely to pick a Muslim to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations. The former ambassador, Dore Gold, says he knows Zalmay Khalilzad, the man expect to be selected by President Bush for the position.

White House sources have reportedly said that President Bush will nominate Khalilzad to succeed John Bolton for the U. N. position. The office carries a Cabinet-level rank. If Khalilzad is confirmed, the native of Afghanistan would be the first Muslim member of a United States Presidential Cabinet.

Khalilzad has been serving as the United States Ambassador to Iran. He once took part in the criticism of Gold's doctoral dissertation years ago at Columbia University. Gold says he does not have a problem with the Muslim being the ambassador to the United Nations because he feels he knows Khalilzad well and can vouch for his loyalty to the United States. He said Khalilzad has impeccable qualifications.

Gold called Khalilzad a "highly talented individual." He says that is how he has always understood the possible nominee. He said he would be a "great ambassador" to the U.N.

The former Israeli ambassador said he had meetings with the man who might become the first American Muslim Ambassador to the U.N. years ago. He said Khalilzad is smart and a "loyal, patriotic American." Gold also said that because of Khalilzad's diplomatic experience, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq, the seasoned statesman understands the challenges America faces better than most people.

Gold says Americans have no reason to be concerned about Khalilzad's nomination. He says he knows the man and is not worried at all.