New Aussie PM Urges US to Back Kyoto

Two days after ratifying the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse-gas emissions, Australian PM Kevin Rudd says the US should, too. Like the US, Australia had previously refused to join the agreement, which sets binding limits on emissions. But Rudd says he wants Washington on board, as “all developed and developing countries need to be part of the global solution.”

Rudd is set to meet with President Bush in mid-2008, but wouldn’t say if he will pressure the president to ratify Kyoto. Rudd's Labour Party came to power for the first time in 11 years last month, and withdrawing Australia’s 550 combat troops from Iraq is also part of his agenda. He says Australia will use "creative middle-power diplomacy." (More Australia stories.)