Brussels, 29/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - We are deeply concerned, we do not like what we hear, stated to the press, Margot Wallström, European Commissioner for the Environment, who reacted on Thursday to the announcement made by the United States to renounce the Kyoto Protocol on climatic change. Announcing an imminent departure by the European Troika to Washington, to sound out the American intentions on a dossier that the Union considers to be a core part of its relations with the United States, Mrs Wallström dismissed the idea of waving a stick at this stage, feeling that it is a priority to understand the American position and intentions.
It is during a briefing that Ari Fleischer, White House spokesperson, announced, on 28 March, that George Bush "does not support the Kyoto treaty", and this "unequivocally" to the extent that this instrument exempts the developing countries and that it is, in addition, not in the best economic interests of the United States, the costs involved in its implementation being disproportionate compared to the benefits gained. Answering a journalist who asked him whether the United States intended to "withdraw" from Kyoto, Mr Fleischer answered that it did not have to withdraw to the extent that the protocol has not been ratified and that the American Senate voted unanimously against its ratification. Thus the Presidency seems to have aligned itself with the position of American industrial circles who challenge the fact that the Protocol does not extend to developing countries - notably the emerging countries -, feeling that it is incompatible with the shortage in energy supply in some regions such as California, and considering inopportune the new constraints that would be experienced by people due to the implementation. Questioned over the prospects of the global warming issue, the White House spokesperson indicated that George Bush had asked the government to discuss the issue and draft an American position on this issue. The President, he continued, is convinced of being able to continue working with his partners at the international level on different basis, for example by adopting an approach notably based on the development of technologies and economic incentives; either way, "the President opposes this treaty in its present form (…) but it is premature to speculate about exactly what steps the administration will take", concluded the spokesperson.
If this statement does not constitute a real surprise for the Europeans, President Bush having already announced his views on several occasions over recent weeks, the European Commission is none the less piqued. Considering the announcement as "highly concerning", Mrs Wallström announced to the press that the EU Troika would soon go to Washington to try and understand the United States' position and, in particular, to try an know if he intends to go to Bonn in July for the "COP6" meeting, which should finalise the operational measures for the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and open the way for its ratification (only Romania has already done so). "It is necessary to be clear to the United States: climatic change is not a minor ecological issue, this is a question closely linked to economic relations and trade", stated the Commissioner, however without envisaging the use of any threat at this stage. Punishing is not the right way to proceed, she added, feeling that the time is for talking. Closing the door to it would in fact mean confronting the United States in their singular position. However, without them, "Kyoto is dead" inferred Mrs Wallström who, perplexed, also raised the issue of the modus operandi to adopt if this was the case. In the immediate, the Troika will thus go to Washington to hear the Americans detail their positions, notably over the involvement of developing countries, with regards to the Treaty. To say that they are not involved is false. They are partners even if they have not precise engagements for the first phase of the implementation of the protocol, underlines Mrs Wallström.