Agreement on the modalities of a Kyoto 'second commitment period,' which seeks to rein in climate change pending a new global pact due to enter into force in 2020, concluded 12 days of tough haggling in Qatar. After several days of deadlocked talks, conference chairman Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah finally rushed through the package of deals which he termed the Doha Climate Gateway, riding roughshod over country objections as he swung the gavel in quick succession proclaiming: 'It is so decided.' Observers said Russia had been trying to halt the extension of Kyoto, whose first leg expires on December 31. Moscow objected to the passing of the deal, and noted that it retained the right to appeal the president's action
