U.N. chief calls for compromise at Copenhagen summit

Ministers were struggling to break deadlock in global climate talks in Copenhagen, three days before world leaders were due to seal an accord.

“In these very hours we are balancing between success and failure,” said Danish President of the two-week meeting, Connie Hedegaard, at the opening of the high-level phase of the talks.

“Success is within reach. But … I must also warn you: We can fail.” Organizers of the talks said environment ministers would work deep into night on Tuesday to narrow wide differences, saying the bulk of the work must be complete before some 115 leaders formally join the meeting on Thursday.

“Three years of effort have come down to three days of action,” UN chief Ban Ki-moon said. “Let us not falter in the home stretch. No one will get everything they want in this negotiation.” Reuters