Global warming on back burner as summit ends

Revived Yeltsin meets with Chirac 

DENVER (CNN) -- President Clinton formally ended the Summit of the Eight Sunday, issuing a closing statement that fell short of a tough stand on global warming.

The final communiqué from the Summit of the Eight represented a defeat for the Europeans on the environmental issues of global warming and deforestation. Europe's leaders had argued for tougher language than the United States was willing to accept.

The debate over that issue will move to New York in the coming week where many of the leaders in Denver, including Clinton, will speak at a special Earth Summit session of the U.N.

But the group of the world's richest countries, along with newcomer Russia, issued a stern warning that China must protect democracy in Hong Kong once the Chinese take over the British colony on July 1.

The leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States also agreed to hold their next summit in Birmingham, England, from May 15 to 17.

In their closing communiqué, the world leaders called on China to ensure Hong Kong's civil liberties and guarantee free elections after the July 1 handover from Britain to Beijing.

The communiqué also earmarks $300 million to help Ukraine build a shell around the destroyed Chernobyl nuclear reactor, criticizes Japan for its huge trade surplus, promises new trade and investment help for the poorest African nations and expresses a determination to revive the stalled Middle East peace process.

In one of the longest sections of the 18-page communiqué, the leaders pledged "new concrete action to support the efforts of African countries to participate fully in the expansion of global prosperity."

The group held out the promise of further debt relief and trade benefits to those African countries willing to undertake economic reforms.

"We are determined that no part of the world will be left behind," Clinton said.

On human cloning, the leaders pledged "close international cooperation" to prohibit research scientists from using breakthroughs in cloning to create a child.

"Restoring the sense of security and confidence among Israelis and Palestinians is essential," the draft document said.

Although the United States succeeded in softening the draft language on the protection of forests, the leaders urged all countries to "make a long-term political commitment to achieve sustainable forest management practices worldwide."

Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who missed a late-night gala concert Saturday night, resurfaced Sunday looking fit at a meeting with French President Jacques Chirac.

"It's good to see you in good shape. When I see you I'm always in a good mood," Chirac said at the start of the meeting. Yeltsin, he said after their talks, looked "excellent."

The 66-year-old Russian leader got out of his chair to greet Chirac without any problems and appeared fit. He spoke clearly and coherently to reporters after the meeting at his hotel. 

Yeltsin had heart surgery last year and lost 60 pounds while recovering.