Say goodbye to the UN

It appears John Bolton is doing his best to make his wish for a UN-less world come true:

The US ambassador to the United Nations has hit back at comments by the UN deputy chief about US policy on the UN.

The UN's Mark Malloch Brown said Washington did not stand up for the UN against domestic critics and used the organisation as a diplomatic tool.

John Bolton called the remarks "a very, very grave mistake" and called on Kofi Annan to repudiate his deputy's speech.

Observers say the row is linked to the possibility the US may withhold payment if the UN does not reform management.

The organisation could run out of money at the end of June and the US might withhold its dues unless there is enough progress on reforms, the BBC's Laura Trevelyan reports from the organisation in New York.

The row reflects the long-standing tensions between the UN and its biggest paymaster, our correspondent adds.

If the UN is gone, then the US won't have to seek its approval before it invades the next unlucky country that irks King Bush. So, don't look for much sympathy from the White House.