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World leaders in Japan to address global challenges

Leaders of the world’s richest countries began arriving in northern Japan yesterday for a summit aimed at tackling red-hot food and oil prices that could derail global economic growth.

Authorities sealed off Hokkaido, with demonstrations relegated to the island’s largest city of Sapporo where four people were arrested on Saturday.

US President George W. Bush flew into Sapporo airport yesterday, ahead of talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and then a meeting of the club of the world’s rich countries.

G8 leaders will embark today on three days of talks in the mountain resort town of Toyako, northern Hokkaido, that will be dominated by the world economy and global warming.

Security was formidable across the picturesque region, with about 21,000 police deployed to protect the leaders as they huddle in a luxury hilltop hotel in a bid to solve the world’s most pressing problems.

“The participants this year will discuss global issues, including the immediate dangers posed by the soaring prices of crude oil and foodstuffs as well as climate change,” Fukuda said in a statement.

“They will also discuss international assistance to African development and the dual threats to world peace posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism,” he said.

The G8 leaders will be joined by those of some 15 other countries for expanded sessions on global warming and poverty alleviation.

Climate change will top the agenda on Wednesday.

The leaders are expected to pledge to take the lead in efforts to halve emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 after agreeing a year ago to “consider seriously” the goal of at least halving global emissions by 2050.

OLYMPICS

Bush and Fukuda said at a meeting yesterday that politics and the Olympics do not mix, adding they would attend the Beijing Games opening gala next month.

The two leaders said the human rights situation in China was improving and that skipping the Games’ Aug. 8 launch ceremony would send the wrong message.

“I happen to believe not going to the opening ceremony to the Games would be an affront to the Chinese people, which may make it more difficult to be able to speak frankly with the Chinese leadership,” Bush said.

“It looks like there’s some progress, at least in the talks with the Dalai Lama” and Chinese authorities, following a crackdown in Tibet, Bush said.

“I don’t really think we have to link the Olympics to politics. I think there may be problems with China, but even so they’re now making an effort,” he said.

Also See: Beijing stalling for time: Tibet
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