In Turnaround, Russia Says May Yet Ratify Kyoto

[shawn703]

MOSCOW (Reuters) - In an apparent about-face, Russia signaled it might yet salvage the U.N.'s Kyoto protocol on curbing global warming -- a pact that will collapse without Moscow's backing.

"There are no decisions about ratification apart from the fact that we are moving toward ratification," said Mukhamed Tsikhanov, deputy economy minister responsible for Kyoto.

Michael Williams, a United Nations spokesman for climate change, welcomed the remark.

"We are pleased to hear today's comments. We are confident that they (Russians) will ratify the protocol at some point," he told Reuters from a climate change conference in Milan.



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http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/reuters20031203_372.html

[damnraddem]

1. Only Monty Python could do this one properly.

The Kyoto Treaty speaks up: "I'm getting better."

[ramapo]

2. What happened?

Good news but what changed since yesterday? Putin has talked down the treaty for months.

Maybe the Russians see it as a chance to be world leaders unlike the United States. How about showing the world how to cut greenhouse gases AND build a vibrant economy?

[TrogL]

3. That might not be the end of it

Front page of the Globe and Mail announces "Martin goes cool on Kyoto" - in other words Canada's support may be wobbling.