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US Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton , in his first speech in Europe since taking his post in August:

... Bolton reiterated that Washington is prepared to work outside the United Nations if the world body's flaws cannot be repaired. 'We look at it in a kind of cost-benefit way,' he said. 'If it's not solving problems, what do we do to fix it? And if we can't fix it, where else can we look to have those problems solved?'

Bolton's temper flared briefly when some in the audience laughed at his assertion that America's contribution to maintaining world security is a form of overseas aid.

'If you would prefer us to withdraw to Fortress America, get up and say so,' he snapped. 'Yes,' replied one man in the audience, but Bolton later said the United States would not retreat into isolationism.