The Hague - French President Jacques Chirac was cheered by delegates at the Climate Change Conference opening ceremony in The Hague, when he made an impassioned plea to the Americans to act on global warming.
"I call upon the United States of America to cast aside their doubts and hesitations. The time has come for them to join with the other leading industrialised nations to work together in making a successful transition to an energy-efficient, yet no less thriving, economy.
President Chirac said action by the US would be a powerful gesture in the direction of the countries of the south. They legitimately expect the developed countries, which alone emit two-thirds of all greenhouse gases to take the lead.