ALBA raises its
voice in Copenhagen
•
Negotiations at a standstill
•
Heavy clashes between
demonstrators and police in the streets
•
Provocative incident directed at
President Chávez
COPENHAGEN, December 16.—In the midst of tense
debating sessions, the UN Climate Change Summit
continues with the appearance yesterday, Wednesday,
of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and his Bolivian
counterpart, Evo Morales, AFP reports.
The
two leaders expressed their position on behalf of
their own countries and all the member nations of
the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our
America (ALBA). According to Prensa Latina, they
called for a new economic model to make effective
the battle against global warming, and advocated
making an exceptional effort to achieve a document
that responds to humanity’s expectations.
Chávez and Morales affirmed that they share the
viewpoint of the G77- plus China in relation to the
validity of the Kyoto Protocol and the need for the
500 million rich in the world – responsible for 50%
of CO2 emissions – to take on the responsibility
that is theirs.
The arrival in Copenhagen of President Hugo Chávez
began with an incident that reflects the state of
discussions: the police spent 45 minutes checking
the head of state’s baggage in clear violation of
international agreements, the ABI agency reports.
Having accepted hosting an international meeting
organized by the UN, Denmark cannot reject nor limit
the presence and movement of heads of state and UN
accredited delegates. However, on this occasion, and
particularly in relation to the Venezuelan president,
rules of protocol were ignored.
Meanwhile, in the midst of stalled negotiations, on
the one hand ministers are working to draft a world
agreement to respond to global warming and, on the
other, intense street protests are continuing,
prompting the Danish police to heavy repression via
the use of teargas and batons and the arrest of large
numbers of demonstrators.
