The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #27938   Message #346649
Posted By: Peter K (Fionn)
25-Nov-00 - 02:48 PM
Thread Name: BS: Global Warming
Subject: RE: BS: Global Warming
Yes, I stayed up through the night following what at one time looked like it was going to be real progress. Our (the UK) deputy PM, John Preescott, stormed out in the end, blaming unspecified Scandinavian countries for refusing to compromise. I think compromise in this case would have meant world approval for a zero contribution from the states. Not on, in my view.
Prescott's environment minister Michael Meacher (who is about as decent and competent a bloke as we get in our politics these days) has been giving a more measured view during the day. A big problem seems to have been the way the time was managed. (I realise there do have to be time limits, or nothing ever gets agreed.) He's bitterly disappointed needless to say, but seems confident something positive will be resolved by May, if not sooner.