Late-breaking news: Tuesday Nov. 3

Updates brought to you by the ENB team members throughout the day:

• As the dust settled in the wake of the debate on Argentina's bid to introduce an Agenda Item on voluntary commitments Monday, the United States is understood to be content with the marked change in the tone of the statements from G-77/China opponents of new commitments compared to interventions in Kyoto. Driven largely by domestic political considerations, the US enthusiasm for the Argentine initiative is attracting advice from European delegates who feel that Washington might be pressing too soon and too hard.
• At a US briefing Ambassador Mark Hambley said he viewed Monday’s discussion as a "step forward" with a full discussion of the issue for the "first time in the history of this process." He said the issue was not dead but was now in the hands of the Chair. He looked forward to seeing how it would develop by the end of the two week process. Asked about the prospects for US ratification, Ms. Kimble, Acting Assistance Secretary of state at the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, indicated that voluntary commitments in the context that Argentina made its proposal would be read as a step forward.