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US rejects German G8 climate goal US rejects German G8 climate goal
(30 minutes later)
Washington says it will not agree to climate change targets ahead of a G8 summit which has already been marred by a row over US missile defence plans. Washington says it will not agree to climate change targets ahead of a G8 summit in Germany already marred by a row over US missile defence plans.
Rejecting German Chancellor Angela Merkel's plan to cut emissions by 50%, a top US climate official said the G8 should not dictate members' policies. Rejecting proposals to slash emissions, a top US climate official said the G8 should not dictate members' policies.
Washington's row with Moscow over US plans to build a shield in two former Soviet satellites also looms large. Washington's row with Moscow over US plans for a shield in two former Soviet satellites continues to loom large.
Russia says it will aim weapons at Europe if the US pursues the plan. And tensions are also mounting outside the summit area, where police are using water cannon to disperse protesters.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair says there must be a "frank discussion" about this threat behind the scenes at the summit, which is taking place in the German Baltic resort of Heiligendamm.
Several hundred anti-globalisation protesters have gathered outside the fence protecting the building where the leaders of the eight top industrialised nations are due to meet.Several hundred anti-globalisation protesters have gathered outside the fence protecting the building where the leaders of the eight top industrialised nations are due to meet.
Others are trying to block the roads from the airport, where several delegations have yet to land.Others are trying to block the roads from the airport, where several delegations have yet to land.
Police are observing the situation from helicopters, and water cannon is on standby.
Keeping coolKeeping cool
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, hosting the summit, has set what is seen as an ambitious personal goal of persuading the leading industrialised countries to commit to cutting emissions by 50% by 2050.German Chancellor Angela Merkel, hosting the summit, has set what is seen as an ambitious personal goal of persuading the leading industrialised countries to commit to cutting emissions by 50% by 2050.
Russia is not our enemy US President George W Bush New discord set to last Q&A: US missile defence Send us your commentsRussia is not our enemy US President George W Bush New discord set to last Q&A: US missile defence Send us your comments
She also wants them to increase fuel efficiency by 20% and limit the world's temperature rise to 2C.She also wants them to increase fuel efficiency by 20% and limit the world's temperature rise to 2C.
However, President George W Bush's senior climate adviser said on Wednesday that a number of countries - including the US - would not sign up to those commitments.However, President George W Bush's senior climate adviser said on Wednesday that a number of countries - including the US - would not sign up to those commitments.
James Connaughton insisted that there had been significant progress and consensus on the issue of climate change. But he made clear the US did not believe the G8 should be the forum for setting targets.James Connaughton insisted that there had been significant progress and consensus on the issue of climate change. But he made clear the US did not believe the G8 should be the forum for setting targets.
"Efficiency goals should be decided and developed on a national basis," he said. "There is significant agreement that those should be established on a national basis, and the only area of disagreement is that the G8 should dictate the national policies of its members," he said.
"There is significant agreement that those should be established on a national basis, and the only area of disagreement is that the G8 should dictate the national policies of its members."
Mrs Merkel is due to meet Mr Bush and every other leader of the Group of Eight club individually before the summit opens.Mrs Merkel is due to meet Mr Bush and every other leader of the Group of Eight club individually before the summit opens.
BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says meetings of the world's most powerful leaders are always difficult, but this one looks especially tough. Mrs Merkel is going to have to decide how far the most contentious issues can be pushed.BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says meetings of the world's most powerful leaders are always difficult, but this one looks especially tough. Mrs Merkel is going to have to decide how far the most contentious issues can be pushed.
'Don't worry 'Don't worry'
She is operating against a backdrop of increasingly fractious relations between some of the G8 members.She is operating against a backdrop of increasingly fractious relations between some of the G8 members.
President Bush and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have been trading threats and accusations ahead of the meeting, sparked by Washington's plans to build a missile defence shield.President Bush and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have been trading threats and accusations ahead of the meeting, sparked by Washington's plans to build a missile defence shield.
The Czech Republic is the planned site for a radar base, while interceptor missiles are due to be deployed in Poland.The Czech Republic is the planned site for a radar base, while interceptor missiles are due to be deployed in Poland.
Mr Bush, who is expected to meet Mr Putin on the sidelines of the summit, said the new system was a "purely defensive measure, aimed not at Russia but at true threats".Mr Bush, who is expected to meet Mr Putin on the sidelines of the summit, said the new system was a "purely defensive measure, aimed not at Russia but at true threats".
I think behind the scenes at the G8 there will be the opportunity for people to have a frank conversation about Russia, with Russia Tony Blair Blair 'will be frank' Reporter's diary
Speaking in the Czech Republic on Tuesday, the American president said the Cold War was over and Russia was not an enemy of the US.Speaking in the Czech Republic on Tuesday, the American president said the Cold War was over and Russia was not an enemy of the US.
But he went on to accuse Russia of sliding backwards on democracy.But he went on to accuse Russia of sliding backwards on democracy.
"Reforms that once promised to empower citizens have been derailed, with troubling implications for democratic development," he said."Reforms that once promised to empower citizens have been derailed, with troubling implications for democratic development," he said.
I think behind the scenes at the G8 there will be the opportunity for people to have a frank conversation about Russia, with Russia Tony Blair Blair 'will be frank' Reporter's diary
For his part Mr Putin has scoffed at US claims that the shield is designed to counter threats from states such as North Korea and Iran, indicating that the real target was Russia.For his part Mr Putin has scoffed at US claims that the shield is designed to counter threats from states such as North Korea and Iran, indicating that the real target was Russia.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair entered the debate in a BBC interview on Wednesday, saying it was not in Russia's interest to have a "scratchy" relationship with Western countries.UK Prime Minister Tony Blair entered the debate in a BBC interview on Wednesday, saying it was not in Russia's interest to have a "scratchy" relationship with Western countries.
London currently has its own issues with Moscow over the murder of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.London currently has its own issues with Moscow over the murder of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.
Mr Putin has dismissed a UK extradition request for a Russian suspect as "pure foolishness".Mr Putin has dismissed a UK extradition request for a Russian suspect as "pure foolishness".