By Neil Marks in CopenhagenAfrican countries pulled the emergency cord in Copenhagen yesterday at the reluctance of rich countries to discuss binding emissions reductions, bringing chaos to the negotiations.As news spread around the conference centre, about 200 activists responded with chants of “We stand with Africa – Kyoto targets now”.African delegates at the UN Climate Conference during one of the plenary sessions.African countries have refused to continue negotiations unless talks on a second commitment period to the Kyoto Protocol are prioritised. Australia, Japan and others succeeded in stopping Kyoto Protocol discussions as a result.However, after a brief suspension of the talks, discussions resumed late yesterday afternoon.Of the two tracks of negotiations underway in Copenhagen, the Kyoto Protocol is the only one which includes a mechanism for legally binding emissions reductions by rich countries.The group of developing nations, known as the G-77, accused the United States and other industrialised countries of forsaking the Kyoto Protocol, the climate agreement currently in effect.While Kyoto exempts emerging economies from binding cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the U.S. and other rich nations want a new climate agreement to apply to major developing nations, such as India and China.The G-77 countries are pushing back against that approach, saying such a pact could pose less stringent requirements on industrialised countries than Kyoto does, and would not deliver the global emissions cuts they seek.“The killing of the Kyoto Protocol,China Jerseys Cheap, I can say, will mean the killing of Africa,” said Mama Konat?,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, a member of Mali’s delegation. “Before accepting that, we should all die first.”“This is a walk-out over process and form, not a walkout over substance,Cheap Jerseys From China, and that’s regrettable,”said Australian Climate Change Minister, Penny Wong.At a noon press briefing, the UN’s climate chief,mlb jerseys china, Yvo de Boer, said that the Presidency of the conference would have informal talks with the negotiating parties and that the talks would focus on the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol.“The vast majority of countries want to see a continuation of the Kyoto Protocol,” Yvo de Boer said. “This is not just an African concern.”Asked whether he had heard of any countries indicating that they might boycott the conference, Yvo de Boer answered: “I am not aware of any country threatening to block anything.”Human Rights groups have thrown their support behind the African countries.Jeremy Hobbs, Executive Director of Oxfam International said: “Africa has pulled the emergency cord to avoid a train crash at the end of the week.? Poor countries want to see an outcome which guarantees sharp emissions reductions yet rich countries are trying to delay discussions on the only mechanism we have to deliver this – the Kyoto Protocol.“This is not about blocking the talks – it is about whether rich countries are ready to guarantee action on climate change and the survival or people in Africa and across the world.“Australia and Japan are crying foul while blocking movement on legally binding emissions reductions for rich countries. This tit for tat approach is no way to deal with the climate crisis.”Later in the day, President Nasheed of the Maldives addressed the plenary and asked the parties to stop lengthy interventions,Cheap NFL Jerseys, and break up for actual work.He said the trust is already there and that what is needed is more work. He asked the lengthy interventions to be written instead of spoken and he called on Parties to be concerned about limited time left for negotiations.He shortly thereafter requested the floor again and with a very strong voice asked to stop the plenary immediately and go for work.But Lumumba Stanislaus Di-Aping of Sudan, a spokesman for the G77 plus China group of developing nations went against it and asking for answers to G77 questions that were raised in the plenary, therefore calling for the plenary to continue. He said rushing is not going to bring the solution needed.Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi,wholesale jerseys china, Africa’s chief negotiator, said Africa needs a successful outcome in Copenhagen more and will not allow its basic interests to be trampled upon.