Tempers fly as countries object to climate deal

Tensions rose to the surface today as China and developing nations raised objections to a hard-fought draft agreement at a UN conference on climate change.

The marathon talks in Bali were mired by friction between the United States and European Union, which appeared to be resolved with a compromise watering down EU demands on future curbs in greenhouse gas emissions.

But developing nations led by China, India and Pakistan were upset with the language of the deal, particularly on how wealthy nations would transfer green technology to emerging economies.

Conference host Indonesia called a plenary session of the UN-led conference Saturday, one day after its scheduled close, and announced that China had objections to the text.

A Chinese delegate responded angrily, berating Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar, who served as secretariat of the session.

The delegate, who did not identify himself, said that closed-door negotiations were still underway in another room led by Indonesia's foreign minister.

"I think the secretariat did this intentionally and I think this is not just a lack of communication," the visibily angry Chinese delegate said.

"I am not sure whether this secretariat is our secretariat and I would like to ask for an apology."

Witoelar agreed to suspend the meeting to allow for closed-door talks, which are believed to involve UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Indian Science Minister Kapil Sibal earlier told reporters that the agreement was too vague on technology transfer.

"They don't want to give us technology support. It says support for technology. What does support mean — support from where?" Sibal said.