Africa wins promise of more meetings

African nations have called off a day-long boycott at the UN climate talks after their fight won them promises that rich nations would try to deepen cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

But the group has threatened to repeat the boycott if there is no progress in Wednesday's discussions. Here is more from Keith Crane.

The African countries boycotted some of the talks in protest at inadequate promises by developed nations for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

African delegates say their nations are most exposed to the disastrous effects of global warming caused mainly by burning fossil fuels. But developed countries, the main users of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution, are not willing to make concrete promises to cut emissions.

African nations say developed countries should cut emissions by at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 -- far deeper than the cuts on offer so far which range from 11 to 15 percent.

Under Tuesday's compromise, six of the 10 remaining Kyoto sessions at the Barcelona negotiations will focus on cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by industrialized nations.

The Gambian delegation, one of leading countries behind the boycott, says failure in Wednesday's discussions will give them no option but to suspend talks again.