US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA463

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000463 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR WHA/PDA, OES, EB, AND WHA/CEN 
FOR IIP/G/WHA AND IIP/T/ES 
EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, KPAO, PREL, SENV, HO 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON THE KYOTO PROTOCOL, MARCH 1, 2005 
 
 
1. Editorial in San Pedro Sula-based liberal daily "La Prensa" on 
2/27, entitled "The Kyoto Protocol."  "The implementation of the 
Kyoto Protocol has forced thirty four countries that have 
ratified it to reduce the emission of greenhouse effect gases by 
2012.  This has been an important first step taken by Japan, the 
European Union, Canada, and Russia, some of the industrialized 
countries which are mostly responsible of the pollution in the 
atmosphere." 
 
"The U.S., the world's worst polluter, is not involved in this 
international effort for our survival.  Furthermore, China, the 
second-worst polluter, ratified the Protocol but it isn't 
actually compelled to follow it.  Both Washington and Beijing 
have quickly expressed their will to cooperate to reduce the 
emission of gases as long as it does not affect their economies, 
which will prevent a full implementation of the Protocol, as it 
has been acknowledged by several environmentalists who have 
already started to work on a new agreement which will include the 
U.S. and some of the so-called emerging economies, such as China, 
India, and Brazil." 
 
"There's no doubt that the action of humanity on the planet, 
which has exponentially grown since the Industrial Revolution, 
has had a negative effect on the environment.  The efforts to 
revert the consequences of global warming are crucial to ensure 
survival on Earth.  Taking care of our planet means to save 
lives.  Is that so difficult to understand?  We do not think so." 
 
Palmer