Putin's Chief Economic Advisor Says Kyoto Protocol = Auschwitz

[hatrack]

MOSCOW - "The Kyoto Protocol risks killing off the world economy like "an international Auschwitz", says an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin.


Andrei Illarionov, Putin's economic adviser, has recommended the president reject the landmark environmental pact, according to a document obtained by Reuters. That would kill off the treaty, which needs Russia's backing to come into force. In sardonic remarks quoted by Interfax news agency, the outspoken Illarionov told reporters in Russia's second city of St Petersburg that Kyoto's impact would be devastating.

"The Kyoto Protocol is a death pact, however strange it may sound, because its main aim is to strangle economic growth and economic activity in countries that accept the protocol's requirements," he said. "At first we wanted to call this agreement a kind of international Gosplan," he said, referring to the commission which ran the Soviet Union's command economy.

"But then we realised Gosplan was much more humane and so we ought to call the Kyoto Protocol an international Gulag," a reference to the Soviet labour camps where millions died. "In the Gulag though, you got the same ration daily and it didn't get smaller day by day... In the end we had to call the Kyoto protocol an international Auschwitz," he said."

EDIT

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/24711/story.htm

Hmm, maybe this guy can get a job with the Global Climate Coalition, or maybe as a researcher for John Stossel.

[BostonTeaParty04]

1. Hmmm, Putin has a cloud of GLOOM just hovering about him lately.

He used to be so cheerful and optimistic.

If he wants to compare something to the Hitler era, he should focus more on personalities.... ie, bushco (or himself!)

[phantom power]

2. I lay this at Bush's feet

The Bush admin. killed Kyoto. If America had signed on, that would have given it the momentum for ratification. After we pulled out, everybody backed off, and the momentum died.

We might as well halt CPR and work on some other angle for the time being.

[cprise]

3. Correction

The Clinton administration turned its back on Kyoto. The Bush admin is just continuing that policy.

[phantom power]

4. Not exactly what I remember

As I recall, the Clinton administration was still involved in negotiations. Bush pretty much pulled us out and shut the door behind us.

But then, maybe I just recall wrong.