LEAD) Countries deadlocked at Copenhagen climate change talks

(ATTN: ADDS with more details from para 8)
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 18 (Yonhap) -- Countries at the United Nations Climate Change
Conference in Copenhagen have become deadlocked on how best to reduce greenhouse
emissions cited for global warming, government sources said here Friday.

Parties have made little headway on issues such as the extent of reductions that
must be made by advanced economies and how developing economies should
voluntarily cut emission levels, said officials from the knowledge economy and
environment ministries.
Other issues, like monetary support for poor countries that will be affected the
most by climate change, have also become an obstacle, with some potential
beneficiaries demanding no preconditions for aid, they said.
"There is understanding that a deal must contribute to greenhouse gas reductions
and not become a political statement with little real detail, although reaching
this may not be easy," an environment ministry official who declined to be
identified said.
He said the process may be considered a success if developed countries are able
to agree on specific reduction targets, and if developing countries like China
agree to ensure transparency and verification in their respective reduction
plans.
The United State has insisted that headway can only be made in the ongoing
climate talks if China, the No. 1 emitter in the world, and other countries that
produce large amounts of greenhouse gases accept measurable, reportable and
verifiable formats.
China, along with the U.S., accounts for roughly 40 percent of all greenhouse
gases released into the atmosphere, making their full-fledged participation vital
for global climate control.
South Korean officials said that last-minute talks to forge a deal were held for
an hour and were attended by representatives from about 20 countries and
international organizations.
Details on what was discussed have not been released, but the talks may have been
linked to the unscheduled bilateral talks held by U.S. President Barack Obama and
Chinese Premiere Wen Jiabao. Initial reports hinted that some kind of progress
was made to resolve outstanding differences.
The U.N., meanwhile, has asked world leaders visiting the Danish capital to stay
overnight to try to break the deadlock. The climate summit was set to end on
Friday.
It said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked leaders and representatives to delay
their departures for at least another day to give the two-week-long talks, which
kicked off on Dec. 7, another try.
There has been speculation that talks may continue into Sunday if no
understanding is reached.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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