Climate debate dominates summit

ROSTOCK, Germany -- President Bush presented himself yesterday as caught in the middle of the international climate debate, fending off allies' calls for specific steps to reverse global warming while encouraging major developing nations to join eventual climate negotiations.

The dispute over how to wrestle with the changing climate is emerging as a focal point of the annual Group of Eight summit that began last night in Heiligendamm. The gathering has drawn tens of thousands of protesters to this northeastern corner of Germany.

White House officials predicted yesterday that Bush would emerge from the three-day meetings with an agreement to conduct formal negotiations to establish medium- and long-range targets, reaching out more than 40 years, for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Critics of the president's position inside and outside the summit have argued that voluntary targets are not enough and fixed limits are needed.

Sitting on the grounds of the Kempinski Grand Hotel that is the summit's center, Bush told reporters that "the United States can serve as a bridge between some nations who believe that now is the time to come up with a set goal . . . and those who are reluctant to participate in the dialogue."

"We all can make major strides and yet there won't be a reduction, until China and India are participants," Bush said. His comment reflected the view Bush shares with other critics of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol: that its limits on greenhouse gas emissions hampered the most economically advanced nations while giving potential economic giants of the developing world a pass.

Many scientists believe that greenhouse gases, chief among them carbon dioxide given off when fossil fuels are burned, are responsible for an increase in global temperatures.

Bush has objected to the central element of a plan put forward by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the summit host, and supported by most European leaders. Under it, participating nations would reduce their emissions by 2050 to half of what they were in 1990, with the goal of limiting the increase in global temperatures no more than 3.6 degrees.

As the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Japan and Russia gathered with Bush and Merkel for an informal dinner, police used a water cannon to turn back demonstrators. At noon, authorities briefly closed the only two checkpoints leading to the area because 6,000 demonstrators were blocking the entries.

Demonstrators tramped through nearby fields to thwart police efforts to contain them and pushed toward the 12-foot razor-wired fence establishing an 8-mile perimeter around Heiligendamm.

Police spokeswoman Jessica Wessel said 166 protesters were arrested and 16 police officers were injured. Wessel said she didn't have information on the seriousness of the injuries.

Merkel has built the summit around poverty, particularly in Africa, and climate change.

Speaking during a photo session after lunch with Bush, Merkel hinted at the ongoing disagreement with the president, saying that the two had had "a very good debate" and "there are a few areas here and there" on which they need to continue to work.