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Tough talks ahead for G8 leaders Tough talks ahead for G8 leaders
(about 1 hour later)
G8 leaders are holding the first full day of talks in Germany, amid divisions over tackling climate change and tense relations between Russia and the West.G8 leaders are holding the first full day of talks in Germany, amid divisions over tackling climate change and tense relations between Russia and the West.
Kosovo, missile defence and Iran's nuclear programme may top the agenda for the morning's formal discussions.Kosovo, missile defence and Iran's nuclear programme may top the agenda for the morning's formal discussions.
US President George W Bush and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are expected to hold private talks.US President George W Bush and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are expected to hold private talks.
Russia has threatened to aim weapons at Europe if US plans for a missile defence shield are implemented.Russia has threatened to aim weapons at Europe if US plans for a missile defence shield are implemented.
Outside the summit, police have used water cannon to try to break up anti-globalisation protests.Outside the summit, police have used water cannon to try to break up anti-globalisation protests.
Click here for a map of the areaClick here for a map of the area
BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says all G8 summits expose contentious issues but not usually so many as this one.BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says all G8 summits expose contentious issues but not usually so many as this one.
G8 AGENDA FOR THURSDAY 0800 GMT - Session on world economy and developing economies1115 GMT - Working lunch on foreign policy issues including Middle East, Iran, Darfur and Kosovo1400 GMT - Session on climate change and energy efficiency1730 GMT - Working dinner with discussion on Doha global trade round In pictures: Summit protests Russian press predict rows Q&A: US missile defenceG8 AGENDA FOR THURSDAY 0800 GMT - Session on world economy and developing economies1115 GMT - Working lunch on foreign policy issues including Middle East, Iran, Darfur and Kosovo1400 GMT - Session on climate change and energy efficiency1730 GMT - Working dinner with discussion on Doha global trade round In pictures: Summit protests Russian press predict rows Q&A: US missile defence
In full session, the wider foreign policy debate could be explosive as Russia fights plans for Kosovo to be granted a high level of independence, our correspondent says.In full session, the wider foreign policy debate could be explosive as Russia fights plans for Kosovo to be granted a high level of independence, our correspondent says.
An afternoon debate on climate change must look for consensus - with the host, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, having to decide how far to push the issue.An afternoon debate on climate change must look for consensus - with the host, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, having to decide how far to push the issue.
Mrs Merkel has set what is seen as an ambitious personal goal of persuading the leading industrialised countries to commit to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050.Mrs Merkel has set what is seen as an ambitious personal goal of persuading the leading industrialised countries to commit to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050.
She also wants them to increase fuel efficiency by 20% and limit the world's temperature rise to 2C.She also wants them to increase fuel efficiency by 20% and limit the world's temperature rise to 2C.
Critics are fearful that the price of bringing the US and Europe towards agreement will be a delay in setting collective targets for action.Critics are fearful that the price of bringing the US and Europe towards agreement will be a delay in setting collective targets for action.
Change of toneChange of tone
US President George W Bush's senior climate adviser, James Connaughton, has said although there was growing consensus on the need for action on climate change the US did not believe the G8 should be the forum for setting targets. The US has indicated it does not believe the G8 should be the forum for setting targets.
Protesters succeeded in blocking all land access to the summit siteNonetheless, as he arrived for the summit in Heiligendamm, Mr Bush insisted he had a "strong desire" to work with Mrs Merkel on a post-Kyoto agreement plan.Protesters succeeded in blocking all land access to the summit siteNonetheless, as he arrived for the summit in Heiligendamm, Mr Bush insisted he had a "strong desire" to work with Mrs Merkel on a post-Kyoto agreement plan.
Mr Bush adopted a similarly conciliatory tone when asked about Washington's very public row with Moscow over US plans to build missile defence facilities in two former Soviet satellites, the Czech Republic and Poland.Mr Bush adopted a similarly conciliatory tone when asked about Washington's very public row with Moscow over US plans to build missile defence facilities in two former Soviet satellites, the Czech Republic and Poland.
Mr Bush dismissed Mr Putin's threat of aiming its missiles at Europe, saying: "There needs to be no military response because we're not at war with Russia. Russia is not a threat."Mr Bush dismissed Mr Putin's threat of aiming its missiles at Europe, saying: "There needs to be no military response because we're not at war with Russia. Russia is not a threat."
He also sought to play down earlier criticism of Russia's record on democracy saying: "Russian society had moved a long way since the Soviet era".He also sought to play down earlier criticism of Russia's record on democracy saying: "Russian society had moved a long way since the Soviet era".
Mr Bush insists that the new system is a "purely defensive measure, aimed not at Russia but at true threats".Mr Bush insists that the new system is a "purely defensive measure, aimed not at Russia but at true threats".
However, Mr Putin has scoffed at US claims that the shield is designed to counter states such as North Korea and Iran.
Train blocked
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair entered the debate in a BBC interview on Wednesday, saying it was not in Russia's interest to have a "scratchy" relationship with Western countries.
I think behind the scenes at the G8 there will be the opportunity for people to have a frank conversation about Russia, with Russia Tony Blair Blair warning over Russia Diary: On tour with Bush Send us your commentsI think behind the scenes at the G8 there will be the opportunity for people to have a frank conversation about Russia, with Russia Tony Blair Blair warning over Russia Diary: On tour with Bush Send us your comments
He said that he and Mr Putin would be having "a frank conversation about the state of the relationship between not simply Britain but Europe and Russia". However, Mr Putin has scoffed at US claims that the shield is designed to counter states such as North Korea and Iran.
Tensions are equally high outside the summit where several hundred anti-globalisation protesters defied riot police and water cannon to try to reach the security fence surrounding the summit venue. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was not in Russia's interest to have a "scratchy" relationship with Western countries.
Some blocked a railway track being used to shuttle officials to the site and nearby roads, cutting off all ground access to the summit for a short time. Tensions are high outside the summit where several hundred anti-globalisation protesters have defied riot police and water cannon to try to reach the security fence surrounding the summit venue.
Some 16,000 officers have been deployed to deal with what are currently estimated to be around 6,000 protesters. Some blocked roads and a railway track being used to shuttle officials to the site, cutting off all ground access to the summit for a short time.
The police are keen to avoid the disturbances seen last weekend in the city of Rostock, where protests turned violent and some 1,000 people were injured. Some 16,000 officers have been deployed to deal with what are estimated to be around 6,000 protesters.
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