President George W. Bush’s choice of John Klink for head of the State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration may be in jeopardy. Klink, a Roman Catholic and longtime relief worker, is a staunch anti-abortion activist who has argued not only against abortion but against emergency contraception (also known as the “morning-after pill”) and even the use of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV. Newsweek reports that many political experts believe Klink, if nominated, will not be confirmed by the Democratic Senate, and others say he would have a difficult time working with pro-choice Secretary of State Colin Powell, who reportedly is not pleased with the pending nomination of Klink. Bush’s support of Klink is just one move in a long line of anti-abortion actions, especially in foreign policy, including his reinstatement of the global gag rule, which restricts international U.S. family planning funds to organizations that counsel or refer women for abortions.
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