British Tory leadership candidate Mr Kenneth Clarke has criticised US President Mr George W Bush for ditching the Kyoto climate-change agreement, and declined to give his wholehearted support to the US President's missile defence plan.
In an interview for The Scotsmannewspaper during a visit to Scotland, the former Chancellor said he was "appalled" by the Republican President's refusal to participate in negotiations over the Kyoto Protocol.
Mr Clarke’s leadership rival, the shadow defence secretary Mr Iain Duncan Smith, has urged the Government to back President Bush's ‘Son of Star Wars’ missile defence programme but Mr Clarke took a far more cautious approach.
"It's important we don't give an excuse to the Russians or anybody else to start breaking other agreements that might lead for example to the proliferation of nuclear weapons," said Mr Clarke.
"The problem has to be addressed but I'm a cautious supporter. I don't want to run ahead of the Americans. If I was asked for my advice I would advise them to proceed with considerable caution," he said.
Mr Clarke also rounded on the Republican leadership on climate change, voicing concern that the US was standing out against the Kyoto Protocol. "Arguments about the details of the Kyoto convention I can understand, not least because the President has to sell any deal to the American congress, but I'm afraid I'm appalled by the total refusal to engage in any satisfactory negotiations.
"The Kyoto convention is extremely important and it's seriously weakened by the absence of the government of the world's major economy. These are early days for the Bush administration. He was elected on an ‘American first’ policy but I still hope he can reassure us he can square that with America's international obligations at the same time," Mr Clarke said.
PA