UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies SBI-10 and SBSTA-10
MARITIM HOTEL, BONN, GERMANY
31 May - 11 June 1999
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Bomb scare halts negotiations
A hoax bomb warning telephoned to the Maritim Hotel disrupted negotiations at the subsidiary bodies this afternoon. Negotiators and conference staff were evacuated and not permitted to re-enter the hotel until after 7 o'clock in the evening. Negotiations were abandoned and re-scheduled. Security sources reported that the bomb warning referred to a device timed to explode at 5 o'clock. Police conducted a search at the hotel. Photos below.

National communications from Annex I Parties: EU determined to keep per capita reporting in guidelines for preparing communications
During the morning, an informal contact group considered elements for a revision of the guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Annex I Parties, focusing on non-inventory issues. The draft elements under discussion were prepared after a workshop in Bonn earlier this year. Country representatives discussed the purpose of the guidelines and the extent to which revisions should be considered for the preparation of the third national communications by Annex I Parties and for the adoption of a decision at COP-5. A number of simple revisions were considered a suitable objective for COP-5.

At the informal contact group today, the US questioned the need for the guidelines to include suggested lists of relevant information and time periods for inclusion in national reports. On the suggested reporting data on country economic profiles, the US sought to delete references to measurements based on "GDP per capita" and "purchasing power parity basis". The EU objected and insisted on the importance of measuring GDP per capita for drawing accurate comparisons between countries. On the suggested reporting requirements on energy, the US sought to delete references to "energy intensity measured as total primary energy supply per unit of GDP" and "total primary energy supply per capita."

The EU is reported to be determined to keep the references to per capita measurements of GDP and energy use to ensure that accurate comparisons of data are possible, notably with the US.

Negotiators are also considering a new draft of the guidelines section on inventories following discussions Tuesday.