ASEAN concerned over U.S. position

ASEAN concerned over U.S. position

PHNOM PENH (AFP): ASEAN environment ministers meeting here on
Tuesday expressed "deep concern" over the U.S. rejection of the
Kyoto protocol on global warming saying there should be no
compromise to fit Washington's agenda.

"The ministers expressed deep concern over the U.S.
government's position on the Kyoto protocol," said a joint
statement by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
environment ministers.

"The ministers were of the view that the provisions of the
Kyoto protocols should not be renegotiated and look forward to
the amicable resolution of outstanding issues."

Cambodia, which is hosting the two-day informal meeting of
ASEAN ministers, said the grouping hoped the U.S. would
eventually be brought on board.

"We adhere to the position of the European Union, developing
countries and Japan," Mok Marth told reporters at the opening of
the informal gathering of environment ministers in Phnom Penh.

"Overall, we will have to do this without the U.S. at first.
We leave the U.S. to join later on. I believe that the U.S. has
their own schedule ...," he added.

The Kyoto treaty calls on nations to reduce emissions of CO2
from industries and transport and five other gases by 5.2 percent
of 1990 levels by the year 2010 in a bid to ward off extreme
weather conditions brought on by global warming.

The White House announced earlier this year that the
administration of George W. Bush had effectively ditched the 1997
accord as it went against the best economic interests of the
U.S..

That announcement has angered the international community and
led to harsh criticism from Washington's allies in Asia and
Europe.

The United States accounts for 36 percent of the
industrialized world's total CO2 emissions.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said in his opening speech
the 10 members of ASEAN must make environmental issues a
priority.

"The government of Cambodia is very concerned about global
warming, which has become a grave problem for the 21st century,"
he said.

"In this regard, the government of Cambodia, as a signatory to
the UN Convention on Climate Change, has taken a firm stance to
support the positions of the developing countries, Japan and the
European Union to speed up the promulgation of the Kyoto
convention."