WASHINGTON, May 25, 2001 (LSN.ca) – President George W. Bush has nominated John M. Klink to head the influential Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Bureau at the State Department. The nomination was met with surprise, as it was not the selection of Secretary of State Colin L. Powell who had recommended another candidate. However, the media and pro-abortion groups are attempting to derail his nomination by suggesting that a pro-lifer is unfit for public office.
The New York Times suggests that Klink would oversee an annual budget of more than $800 million that is chiefly distributed to international agencies like the office of the United Nations high commissioner for refugees and thus may be able to curb the United Nations' targeting of refugee camps with abortifacient drugs.
According to the Times, Mr. Klink, 51, represented the Vatican on the executive board of Unicef from 1988 to 1999 and worked for Catholic Relief Services from 1976 to 1986. His resume lists his current job as adviser to the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations. It also says he is a member of the Republican National Committee's Catholic Task Force.
His pro-life record in his role as a representative for the Vatican were well documented:
– Statement by Mr. John M. Klink Member of the Holy See Delegation to the UNICEF Executive Board, 22-26 January 1996 re: Draft UNICEF Mission Statement (E/ICEF/1996/AB/E.2)
– Intervention by Mr. John M. Klink Member of the Holy See Delegation to the UNICEF Executive Board Session, January 22-26,1996 re UNICEF Document E/ICEF/1996/3: “Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women” January 25, 1996
– Intervention By Mr. John M. Klink, Member, Delegation Of The Holy See To The Unicef Executive Board Session, January 22-26, 1996 Re Unicef Document E/Icef/1996/7: Unicef Emergency Operations; January 23, 1996