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."