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CNN Sunday Morning

Protesters in London Upset with Bush on Kyoto

Aired July 29, 2001 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, hundreds of people rallied outside the U.S. embassy in London yesterday to protest Washington's rejection of the Kyoto protocol aimed at combating global warming. Rhian Brahimi has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RHIAN BRAHIMI (ph), CNN (voice-over): They march to the rhythm of drums against what they call the arrogance, selfishness and irresponsibility of the United States, which refuses to join the rest of the world in combating the threat posed by climate change.

The move by environmental campaigns comes a week after representatives of 178 nations agreed to reduce greenhouse gases. It was a difficult deal to reach, but one that was made without U.S. President George W. Bush, the main target of the campaign.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You've obviously got to start off with the villains if you're going to get anywhere, so we've got to start with the U.S. We've got to make people realize that it is this desperately important issue.

BRAHIMI (ph): In a mock trial in front of the U.S. embassy, Mr. Bush was prosecuted by protester after protester. The demonstrators are calling for a boycott of Esso, a subsidiary of oil giant Exxon- Mobile, for what they believe is the support it provided Mr. Bush so he would reject the so-called climate deal.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Down to Esso, that Bush has abandoned the only international agreement we have on global warning, and basically stuck two fingers up at the rest of the world. And that's why we're urging, everyone everywhere should boycott Esso. Don't put a tiger in your tank.

BRAHIMI (ph) (voice-over): The campaigners warn these calls should not go unheeded.

JEAN LAMBERT, GREEN PARTY: The American administration shouldn't underestimate the deep anger that there was when Bush said he wasn't going to sign up Kyoto.

BRAHIMI (ph): But President Bush was not the only target of the demonstrators anger. Many protesters joined others gathered in front of the Italian embassy across the square. This time, among the accused with President Bush were Prime Ministers Blair and Berlusconi.

The protesters on this side of the sway were primarily asking the British and Italian premiers for answers following the killing of a demonstrator by Italian police at the G-8 summit in Genoa.

And, amid allegations of mistreatment of protesters by the police, they want an independent international injury. But they haven't lost site of the reason they went to Genoa in the first place. The common denominator, according to some who attended both demonstrations, to show the leaders that materialistic goals are fading this society.

Rhian Brahimi (ph), CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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