ban-ki moon

"We want to launch a process that is open and does not predetermine or preclude options."

This innocuous phrase represents the key fault line here in Bali - symbolising an ongoing tussle between the Europeans and North Americans.

It represents US willingness to talk about a deal, but only if concrete numbers are stripped out of the Bali declaration.

A downbeat mood in Bali today, where there is shock at the attack on the United Nations in Algeria. The ‘high-level segment' of the conference has just started with a minute's silence. Security has been stepped up a notch, delegates are back in suits, and Ministers and heads of state fill the plenary room.

UN Secretary General, Ban-Ki Moon starts proceedings by condemning the ‘outrageous' attack to the media throng here in Bali. UN staff, who served the ‘highest ideals of humanity', and innocent bystanders have died in a cowardly act, he says. Innocent civilians have also been murdered.