New Aussie PM Urges US to Back Kyoto

Washington now alone among developed nations on emissions
By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 5, 2007 11:46 AM CST
New Aussie PM Urges US to Back Kyoto
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, second left, stands with his wife Therese Rein and his sons Marcus, right, and Nicholas after he was sworn in as prime minister in Canberra, Australia, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. Rudd was formally sworn in as Australia's 26th prime minister, nine days after sweeping...   (Associated Press)

Two days after ratifying the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse-gas emissions, Australian PM Kevin Rudd says the US should, too. Like the US, Australia had previously refused to join the agreement, which sets binding limits on emissions. But Rudd says he wants Washington on board, as “all developed and developing countries need to be part of the global solution.”

Rudd is set to meet with President Bush in mid-2008, but wouldn’t say if he will pressure the president to ratify Kyoto. Rudd's Labour Party came to power for the first time in 11 years last month, and withdrawing Australia’s 550 combat troops from Iraq is also part of his agenda. He says Australia will use "creative middle-power diplomacy." (More Australia stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X