guardian.co.uk: China leads accusation that rich nations are trying to sabotage climate treaty

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/05/climate-change-kyoto

China leads accusation that rich nations are trying to sabotage climate treaty

Angry statement from 131 countries at climate talks in Bangkok claims rich nations are rejecting historical responsibilities

John Vidal, environment editor in Bangkok
guardian.co.uk, Monday 5 October 2009 12.02 BST

The US and other developed countries are attempting to "fundamentally sabotage" the Kyoto protocol and all-important international negotiations over its next phase, according to coordinated statements by China and 130 developing countries at UN climate talks in Bangkok today.

As 180 countries started a second week of talks, the developing countries showed their deep frustration at the slow pace of the negotiations on a global climate deal, which are planned to be concluded in two months' time in Copenhagen.

"The reason why we are not making progress is the lack of political will by Annex 1 (industrialised) countries. There is a concerted effort to fundamentally sabotage the Kyoto protocol," said ambassador Yu Qingtai China's special representative on climate talks. "We now hear statements that would lead to the termination of the protocol. They are introducing new rules, new formats. That's not the way to conduct negotiations," said Yu.

Yu's was echoed by Lumumba Di-Aping, Sudanese chair of the G77, the UN's largest intergovernmental organisation of developing states which represents 130 countries at the talks. "Feelings are running high in the G77. It is clear now that the rich countries want a deal outside the Kyoto agreement. It would be based on a total rejection of their historical responsibilities. This is an alarming development. The intention of developed countries is clearly to kill the protocol," he said.

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