12-03-07

澳大利亞政府簽署氣候變化問題京都議定書 (Australian Government Signs Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change)

澳大利亞新總理陸克文星期一在宣誓就任幾個小時後簽署了有關批准《京都議定書》的文件，從而結束了澳大利亞一貫反對這項全球氣候條約的立場。

陸克文說，這是他領導的工黨新政府的首次官方行動。工黨在上個月的選舉中獲勝，終結了保守黨11年的執政。陸克文下星期將前往印度尼西亞的巴厘島參加目前正在舉行的聯合國氣候會議。

澳大利亞此舉使美國成為唯一拒絕批准這項全球條約的主要發達國家。

澳大利亞前政府也拒絕批准《京都議定書》，理由是，澳大利亞嚴重依賴煤的出口，批准議定書會損害國家經濟。

Australia's new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signed documents to ratify the Kyoto Protocol today (Monday) just hours after being sworn into office, ending Australia's long-held opposition to the global climate pact.

Mr. Rudd said the move was the first official act of his new Labor government, which won elections last month after 11 years of conservative rule. He will attend the ongoing U.N. climate talks in Bali next week. 

Australia's action leaves the United States as the only major developed nation that has refused to ratify the global pact.

Australia's former government also refused to ratify the Kyoto protocol, arguing that it would damage the economy with its heavy reliance on coal exports. 

聯合國官員呼籲索馬利亞領導人幫助流離失所者 (UN Official Appeals to Somali Leaders for Help in Aiding Displaced)

聯合國高級人道事務官員呼籲索馬利亞領導人幫助那些由於政府軍與伊斯蘭反政府軍之間的戰爭而流離失所的索馬利亞人獲得援助。

約翰.霍爾姆斯星期一抵達索馬利亞，與索馬利亞總統優素福和總理侯賽因在摩加迪沙討論相關局勢。

The top U.N. humanitarian official is appealing to Somalia's leaders for help in getting aid to Somalis displaced by fighting between government troops and Islamist rebels.

John Holmes arrived in Somalia today (Monday) to discuss the situation with President Abdullahi Yusuf and Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein in Mogadishu.