Published on Sunday, December 26, 2004 by the lndependent/UK
Bush Left in the Cold by Climate Allies
by Geoffrey Lean
George Bush's two closest allies in his attempt to sabotage
international action to combat global warning last week dramatically
distanced themselves from him.
Saudi Arabia announced that it had approved the Kyoto Protocol, the
treaty on climate change which President Bush has been trying to
kill. And Australia, while still rejecting it, parted company from
the United States by saying that it was prepared to negotiate its
successor.
The moves follow a tense international negotiating session in Buenos
Aires where, as The Independent on Sunday reported last week, the US
brought the talks to the brink of collapse by obstructing even
anodyne proposals. This breached an assurance given by President Bush
in 2001, when he pulled out of the protocol, that America would not
try to stop other countries reaching agreement.
New negotiations are due to begin next year on a successor to Kyoto,
which will come into force in February, following Russia's decision
to ratify it last autumn. Tony Blair regards progress on climate
change as one of the top priorities of Britain's presidency of the G8
group of the world's most powerful nations.
US opposition endangers both initiatives, but Mr Bush suffered a blow
on Tuesday when the Saudi cabinet approved the treaty. A royal decree
is being prepared to endorse it officially. The decision is
significant, since the Saudis worked closely with the US in Buenos
Aires, but the Australian initiative is more important, as it has so
far marched in step with the US to try to kill negotiations.
Ian Campbell, Australia's environment minister, said it would be
prepared to enter an agreement to combat global warming. He warned
that unless it was reached, the world would be "in jeopardy", adding:
"The difference between the US and Australia is that we are prepared
to engage in a new agreement, so long as it is comprehensive."
Meanwhile, the official European Environment Agency has announced
that the EU nations were on track to exceed the pollution cuts they
have promised under Kyoto, so long as they implement all their
policies and measures.
© Copyright 2004 Independent Digital (UK) Ltd
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