Politic-Economic-Society-Tech

Japan Urges US to Reconsider Treaty

Japan urged the United States on Tuesday to rethink its opposition to a treaty limiting emissions of ``greenhouse gases,'' saying much of the world is waiting for tough new standards to take effect. 

``For all countries, participation of the United States is the best scenario,'' Japanese Environment Minister Yuriko Kawaguchi said as she arrived in Bonn for 180-nation talks on the pact, which would cut emissions of gases believed to be heating up the atmosphere. 

Japan has been trying to play the role of mediator between the United States and treaty supporters in Europe, pledging to negotiate changes in the protocol in a bid to cajole the Americans to sign on. 

``It is very important for all countries to deal with global warming under the same rules,'' Kawaguchi said. But she added Japan does not want to delay the negotiations and would ``do its utmost'' to help bring the treaty into force by next year. 

President Bush abandoned the pact in March, saying it was flawed and would hurt the U.S. economy. Officials from some 180 nations are meeting in Bonn through next week to try to save it. 

The top U.N. official dealing with climate change spoke for many countries Tuesday when he also expressed disappointment at the U.S. stand. 

``Everybody wants the United States in,'' Michael Zammit Cutajar said in an interview. ``The U.S. administration still hasn't said what it wants. It has said what it doesn't like.'' 

``People are disappointed that the United States is not participating fully,'' Japanese negotiator Kazuo Asakai said. 

Delegates are trying work out detailed rules for the accord, which pledges rich countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions — notably carbon dioxide from cars, factories and power stations. 

European governments and developing countries are incensed that the United States — the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases — refuses to commit to binding cuts. 

With the United States standing aside, Japan's role is crucial. The accord can only enter into force if backed by 55 countries, representing 55 percent of the industrialized world's emissions. If Japan pulls out, the second target can't be reached. 

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi rattled European leaders last week by suggesting that, after the U.S. pullout, an agreement may not be possible before the fall. 

His environment minister stressed Tuesday that Japan is seeking a compromise that might get the United States on board. 

But at the bargaining table, Japan joined Canada and Australia in pressing demands that they get more credit for forests that absorb carbon dioxide than foreseen in a draft treaty being discussed at the meeting. 

European Union countries want stricter limits on counting the beneficial effects of forests and soil than other countries, including the United States. 

But Japan's leverage has made the 15-nation EU ready to bargain as it seeks to push ahead with the pact without the United States. 

Germany's environment minister said the accord could be salvaged with a compromise to keep Japan on board. 

The Japanese might be won over if it were accorded credits — ``within very narrow limits'' — against forests that absorb carbon dioxide for a limited period, up to 2012, Juergen Trittin said in an interview in Tuesday's Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. 

More than 80 countries have signed the Kyoto pact, which requires industrialized countries to cut greenhouse emissions an average 5.2 percent from 1990 by 2012. 

``The conference in Bonn is our last chance if we really want to achieve substantial progress,'' Trittin said. ``If it fails, climate protection will be put back by at least 10 years.'' 

source: The Associated Press, Tue 17 Jul 2001