The Independent (UK)

Berlusconi's support for Bush on Kyoto creates rift in EU

By Stephen Castle in Brussels

02 June 2001

Italy has broken ranks with its EU partners over the Kyoto protocol in the first challenge to Europe's unity on climate change and the inaugural rift with the new Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi.

Even before the premier's formal appointment, Italian diplomats in Brussels have switched tack and called for Europe to acknowledge that Kyoto is effectively dead without US support. The move threatens to undermine the EU's strategy of putting maximum pressure on Washington by pledging to ratify Kyoto next year, with or without the USA.

It also raises the possibility that George Bush may now have some crucial support from Mr Berlusconi over climate change when the US President meets EU heads of government at Göteborg, in southern Sweden, this month.

Less than three months ago Italy, along with the other 14 EU countries, reaffirmed its "strong commitment to the Kyoto protocol" at the Stockholm Summit. But the centre-right government of Mr Berlusconi is trying to walk away from that.

During the Italian elections, the media tycoon told the website of La Repubblica newspaper that President Bush was right to reject Kyoto. Although Mr Berlusconi's views on Kyoto were well known, his critics say that he is betraying an election campaign promise not to change policy at European level. Critics believe his ideological objections to Kyoto may have been bolstered by strong support from some sections of industry in Italy where Confindustria, the employers' federation, has pledged its backing to the new premier.

The hardening of Italy's position emerged during negotiations on a declaration to be made by environment ministers at the end of their meeting in Luxembourg next week. This is significant, as it will be the last statement by all 15 ministers before July's make-or-break negotiations on the Kyoto deal take place in Bonn, Germany.

Italy has submitted a "footnote" contradicting the commitment of the other 14 countries to ratify Kyoto next year regardless of what Washington does. It argues that America's participation "is essential to achieve the ultimate objective of the UN Climate Change Convention". It adds that Europe should be prepared "to discuss constructively possible new proposals from the US".

The suggestion that America's participation is "essential" was rejected by all other member states, who argue that this effectively gives Washington a veto. They also point out that, unlike the US, the EU has been constructive.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001