Clinton: U.S. Ready to Join Climate-Aid Fund

Wall Street Journal ^ | December 17, 2009 | By SPENCER SWARTZ and STEPHEN POWER

[La Lydia]

COPENHAGEN -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday proposed that major economies including the U.S. come up with $100 billion a year over the next decade for developing nations to fight climate change, an eleventh hour effort to break an impasse here on climate-change talks.

Mrs. Clinton also emphasized that the US would not commit to the plan if all major economies don't commit to various provisions, including carbon-emission reductions that are verifiable and transparent...

The U.S. proposal received a cautious greeting from other players at the summit. It was seen as an encouraging sign by the U.K. and some African nations that would benefit from the additional funding. But China, one of the most powerful players here, sounded a more dour note, with a spokesman for the Chinese delegation saying: "At first glance, we don't see the U.S. has made much progress in its commitments."...

Clinton's announcement represents a major tactical shift by the Obama administration. Until now, the administration has declined to publicly specify how much money it thinks rich countries should have to commit to poor countries to help them fight climate change. Administration officials have at times said they don't want to prejudge the issue, because legislation that would help raise money for such a cause remains stuck in the U.S. Senate....

Meanwhile, China's vice minister of foreign affairs said that its carbon intensity reduction target shouldn't be subject to international monitoring, despite mounting pressure for more transparency...

Many developing states have sharply criticized the US on various fronts, including its lack of support for specific, long-term commitments on financial transfers to developing states

[La Lydia]

I thought the Congress had control over giving away US taxpayers money. I did not know the Secretary of State had this authority. "Long term commitments on financial transfer to developing states" translates to "You must allow us to raid your treasury and your people's wealth."

[Gaffer]

Acting ‘Presidential’ already, I see...... good - Obama needs something to worry about besides the usual....

[refermech]

These dopes are going to take us to bankruptcy and beyond...

[lowbridge]

bump

[Cicero]

Well, this is a bit different from the earlier stories, which seemed to be saying that the U.S. would come up with $100 billion.

Also, it looks more like a feel-good offer than a real one. We’ll only do it if EVERYONE cooperates perfectly. So it will quickly shift to a blame game. “It’s your fault we aren’t doing it!” “No, it’s your fault!” “No, it’s his fault!”

So it may never even get as far as congress—I sincerely hope.

Meantime I still wonder if Obama put her up to saying this, or if she is stealing his thunder from tomorrow’s speech.

[Dallas59]

When did WE THE PEOPLE approve of this?

[truthguy]

This woman is an absolute Fiend and doesn't care a bit about giving other peoples money away. Since she's never made an honest dollar in her life (in my opinion), she doesn't mind taking it away from hard-working people who do real work. The woman is a parasite and so is her boss and her party.

[steelyourfaith]

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !

[Thunder Smurf]

$100 Billion.. would that be like “real money” ??