US 'fundamentally opposed' to G8 emissions proposals

Published on Saturday 26 May 2007 12:52

The US appears to have rejected draft proposals by Germany for G8 members to agree tough measures on greenhouse gas emissions, leaked documents have shown.

Wide-ranging US amendments to a draft communiqu prepared ahead of June's G8 summit in Germany cite a "fundamental opposition" to the proposals.

Germany wants all G8 members to agree timetables and targets for major cuts.

In the document, US officials make major changes to the communiqu.

In comments printed in red ink, the US negotiators express disappointment that earlier concerns have not been taken on board.

The changes strike out entire sentences and significantly reduce the certainty with which the statement addresses climate change.

"The US still has serious, fundamental concerns about this draft statement," a red-inked note reads.

"The treatment of climate change runs counter to our overall position and crosses 'multiple red lines' in terms of what we simply cannot agree to," it continues.

"We have tried to 'tread lightly' but there is only so far we can go given our fundamental opposition to the German position."