Britain's secret plan for new global climate pact [timesonline]

[truthisfreedom]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1395222,00.html

December 09, 2004

Britain's secret plan for new global climate pact
By Tom Baldwin

TONY BLAIR is seeking to secure George Bush’s backing for a new international treaty that would end America’s isolation on global warming, The Times has learnt.
Downing Street last night confirmed that the Prime Minister had held “lengthy discussions” with Mr Bush about a fresh initiative that would bypass Washington’s steadfast opposition to the Kyoto Protocol.

<snip>

He believes that the refusal by the US Administration to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, which is due to come into force in February, has undermined the pledges of 39 other countries to reduce their output of carbon dioxide and other gases blamed for global warming.

The Government accepts there is little prospect of America, the world’s biggest producer of greenhouse gases, agreeing to cut its emissions. Mr Bush claims that signing up to Kyoto would export US jobs to China and India, whose rapidly expanding economies are also contributing to global warming.

<snip>

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. From the linked commentary:

"Long ago he earmarked Africa (including Aids) and global warming for the top of his agenda, Washington has acknowledged. “Wouldn’t you think he could stick to solving the Middle East and Northern Ireland?” one US official said, with a gibe at yesterday’s collapse of a Belfast deal.

The second reason is to solidify Britain’s ties with the US, but here he is on shakier ground. “The thing is, the British (team) hasn’t yet explained to us why we should really care,” said one official close to a senator familiar with the talks. "

Can't you just feel the love for the poodle flow out from Washington? Good thing you have a special relationship with Bush, Tony, or they might not respect you, let alone do something you suggested ...

[AP]

4. I'm sure that Blair has opperated on the presumption that Bush wants

to undermine Labour from the beginning.

The story here isn't that Republicans aren't giving Blair good quotes. The story here is whether Bush will do enough to help the Tories win the next election, which was the goal from the beginning.

[JoFerret]

2. Steve Bell has commentary

[Caledonia]

3. Aaargh!

I hate Blair. Today he was making excuses about not meeting emissions and then this?

What a plonker.