Clinton, in surprise, to speak at climate conference

[Thom Little]

In a surprise visit, former President Clinton will speak at the annual U.N. climate conference Friday, final day of a contentious two-week meeting, the United Nations confirmed.

Bush administration envoys here were said to be displeased at Thursday's news of the unusual appearance - of an ex-president at a critical point in backroom negotiations involving the U.S. delegation.

"They haven't protested formally, but they're annoyed," a source in the Canadian government, the conference host, said of the U.S. delegates. "They're not infuriated, but they're not thrilled."

.......

In Montreal, the United States has rejected proposals that it rejoin future negotiations to set emissions controls for the period after 2012, when the Kyoto framework expires.


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CLIMATE_CHANGE_CLINTON_AROL-?SITE=VARIT&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-12-08-20-28-41

[Cha]

1. Good, Clinton.."annoy" the

hell outta them.

[Amonester]

2. Bill Clinton to speak at climate conference (U.N. climate conference)

Bill Clinton to speak at climate conference
By CHARLES J. HANLEY
AP SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

MONTREAL -- In a surprise visit, former President Clinton will speak at the annual U.N. climate conference Friday, final day of a contentious two-week meeting, the United Nations confirmed.

Bush administration envoys here were said to be displeased at Thursday's news of the unusual appearance - of an ex-president at a critical point in backroom negotiations involving the U.S. delegation.

"They haven't protested formally, but they're annoyed," a source in the Canadian government, the conference host, said of the U.S. delegates. "They're not infuriated, but they're not thrilled."

The source spoke on condition of anonymity, because as a civil servant - not a politician - he is barred from being in the public light during Canada's current election season.

More at link:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1101AP_Climate_Change_Clinton.html

[efhmc]

3. Thank god we have a reasonable person who can represent some

views of some of us still.

[Lisa]

4. funny -- my landlord just returned early from the same conference ...

He reports that there was a LOT of security -- and also that, with thousands of delegates, reporters, and activists in town, accommodation is a bit tight! And yes, there was quite a bit of gossip about the Bush administration, in the hallways. (Americans who express dissenting views are welcomed with open arms, of course.)

Anyway, I joked that if a certain president did show his face (Georgie, I meant), that was probably the only thing that would step up the security even further. I guess I shouldn't have spoken too soon! Though I imagine that they will do the same for Bill, since he's high-profile AND quite admired up here.

I say, bring him on! If his presence can persuade even more people that this is a worthy initiative, bravo. (The massive attendance at the conference has swayed even my landlord's boss, who was kind of ambivalent about Kyoto until he saw all of the other governments, and even corporations, which were signing on.)

[Spazito]

5. LOL, gotta love it!

"They're not infuriated, but they're not thrilled."

One thing about us Canadians, we do tend to understate things. If they are not thrilled but not infuriated they are most likely very, very pissed off, lol.

[xchrom]

6. good - 'cause i'm annoyed with bushco.

[depakid]

7. Let's see if he has the guts to speak the truth

and call the far right out.

Not banking on it- but it would be the right thing to do.

[acmavm]

8. Yeah, I think I'll save my 'praise' until I hear what the man has to say.

He's said some pretty pro-bush** administration shit over the last couple of years, when we could least afford it. When he became Poopy's buddy I became very leery of Bill Clinton.

[Boredtodeath]

9. Not Poppy's "buddy," his adopted son

Remember?