Sand in the Gears
Thursday, 8 October 2009Saudis ask for aid if world cuts dependence on oilfrom the AP
Saudi Arabia has led a quiet campaign during these and other negotiations — demanding behind closed doors that oil-producing nations get special financial assistance if a new climate pact calls for substantial reductions in the use of fossil fuels.
Very shrewd. The real result of this demand will be to make it more difficult for states to agree to limit emissions, which in turn will allow the Saudis to sell more petroleum. (Nor will they take much blame for failure to reach agreement, as that would interfere with Yank-bashing.)