ENB:02:05

CLIMATE CHANGE CONVENTION

The Framework Convention on Climate Change was opened for signature in a ceremony yesterday morning, chaired by President Collor of Brazil. UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali spoke, saying that although this convention falls short of the hopes of many negotiators, it does include important commitments that should be strengthened as more scientific data comes available. Collor, under the blaze of the TV lights, was the first to sign the Convention. At 1:00 pm, Belgium, followed by Norway, Liechtenstein, Australia, Iceland, Finland, Israel and New Zealand were scheduled in half-hour intervals to sign the Convention.

Talks were still carrying on privately on the separate "Like-Minded-Countries" declaration that would set CO2 emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000. At a European Free Trade Association and EC meeting held yesterday morning to discuss the declaration, little support was expressed.