CANBERRA, Australia (Reuters) -- The United States, the world's top polluter, is set to unveil a five-nation pact to combat global warming by developing energy technology to cut greenhouse gas emissions, officials said on Wednesday.

China and India, whose burgeoning economies comprise a third of humanity, as well as Australia and South Korea are part of the agreement to tackle climate change beyond the U.N.'s Kyoto protocol.

The United States and Australia are the only developed nations outside Kyoto, which demands cuts in greenhouse emissions by 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-12. Both say Kyoto is flawed because it omits developing states.

Diplomats in the Laotian capital Vientiane said the pact would be formally announced on Thursday when U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick holds a news conference attended by representatives of the other signatories.

Zoellick is attending a regional forum in Laos.

Details of the pact were unclear but it appears to echo recent comments by U.S. President George W. Bush who advocates the use of technology to curb growth in greenhouse gas emissions rather than setting Kyoto-style caps on emissions.

Bush believes Kyoto would threaten the U.S. economy even though many of his allies see it as a vital step to brake a rise in temperatures they fear could trigger more floods, storms, lift sea levels and drive thousands of species to extinction.

Environmentalists expressed concern that Washington might try to lure China and India away from U.N. talks, starting this year, about how to widen Kyoto to include developing nations after 2012.

"This might be a benign technology agreement between the five countries," said Steve Sawyer, climate policy director at Greenpeace. "On the other hand, this could be the first foray by the Americans and Australians to knock Kyoto on the head."

The WWF urged Washington and Canberra to agree Kyoto-style caps on emissions, saying that any regional energy technology deal was only a partial solution. And it said China and India had promised to take part in talks on widening Kyoto.

"A deal on climate change that doesn't limit pollution is the same as a peace plan that allows guns to be fired," said Jennifer Morgan, head of the WWF's climate change program.

Australian Environment Minister Ian Campbell said that the five countries had been quietly working on the pact for months.

"It's quite clear the Kyoto protocol won't get the world to where it wants to go ... We have got to find something that works better -- Australia is working on that with partners around the world," Campbell told reporters.

The Kyoto protocol, first agreed in 1997, came into force in February after Russia ratified it is of limited use because many signatories are far above their emission targets.

"We need to expand the energy the world consumes and reduce the emissions. That's going to need new technologies, it's going to need the development of new technologies and the deployment of them within developing countries," Campbell said.

As economies expand, the world is consuming more energy and is producing more greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels such as coal in power plants and petrol in cars.

"I think it is a good idea because the development of these technologies is important and I've always said there has to be a partnership between North and South in these technologies. This is one way of working together," said Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

"It does not interfere with the Kyoto protocol," he said.

Japan, the world's number two economy, appeared to welcome the pact but some others were critical.

"This is all about taxpayers' money being diverted from developing clean renewable technologies to try and make burning coal less dirty," Bob Brown, leader of the minority Australian Greens party, said in a statement.

Australia and China are the world's largest coal exporters, while the United States is also a top exporter.

The IPCC has said world temperatures are likely to rise between 1.4 and 5.8 degrees Celsius by 2100, linked to the build-up of greenhouse gases from human activities.

Scientists say the planet's average surface temperature has increased by about 0.6 degrees Celsius over the past century.

By a margin of 217-215, the United States House of Representatives gave the finger to every hard-working American citizen, approving the Central American Free Trade Agreement in a late night session.

The Associated Press reports that "it took personal visits from the president and vice president, along with strenuous arm-twisting from Republican leaders, before the House passed the Central American Free Trade Agreement early Thursday by a two-vote margin...".

One has to wonder what kind of "arm-twisting" was done by the shadow government mafia. What kind of threats were made to those who didn't comply?

The FTAA is the next step toward a global one-world system. Look for it soon under the dome of what was once the capital of the United States of America.

It's vital to keep pounding your representatives in CONgress about the pending Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

Our sources are telling us that the vote will happen tonight, with republican traitor Tom Delay promising a midnight massacre. Those that are close to the scene in Washington are now telling us that the republican attitudes have become arrogant as they now believe they have enough votes for late-night passage of the CAFTA measure.

Earlier in the day, President George W. Bush addressed swaying republicans to whip them in line.

In a address to the Organization of American States, Bush actually had the audacity to call the CAFTA agreement a jobs program.

"Now I don't see how a member of Congress can go back to his or her district and say (the current law) is a good deal for America when our exports to Central America face hefty tariffs. By eliminating barriers to their exports from our country, CAFTA would help keep the U.S. economy growing. In other words, this is a jobs program. This will help jobs."

Majority leader Tom Delay admitted that the vote for CAFTA was a departure from the best interests of legislators' voting districts when he said, "we are here not only to represent our districts but to represent the nation".

Delay told Reuters, "It will be a tough vote but we'll pass CAFTA tonight. We will honor our commitments to the south, we will protect our national security and will do it all with very few Democrats."

The CAFTA vote, if it goes the way Delay predicts, will be what's become standard fare in American politics. While the rest of the nation is sleeping, they're bidding America goodbye.

Investigative reporter, Jon C. Ryter blows the lid off of more corruption in the Bush administration. Writing in NewsWithViews.com he files the following explosive report.

James C. Langdon, Jr., while serving as the chairman of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Panel [PFIAP] lobbied Beijing-based Goldman Sachs executive William Wicker to help him secure a lobbying contract with China National Offshore Oil Company [CNOOC] for his law firm, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP. Langdon, who also served as a top fundraiser for the Bush-Cheney Campaign in 2000 and 2004, is a long-time, close friend of Wicker. Wicker, who engineered the buyout of Unocal by CNOOC from rival Chevron (after a buyout agreement between Chevron and Unocal had been all but finalized) was president of Texaco when Chevron and Texaco merged to become the fourth largest oil producer in the world.

The involvement of Langdon in what can easily become Washington's newest Bush scandal underscores the world of quid pro quos inside the DC beltway, and raises the question once again of whether the laws concerning lobbying are being properly enforced, or if new laws are needed that criminalize profiteering from access to the hierarchy of any presidential administration. (Of course since a large percentage of the Congressman and Senator who are defeated for re-election—or make a career change upon retirement—sell their connections to lobbying firms who are in the business to profit from those connections, it is unlikely that Congress will enact legislation to ban the practice of selling access once they leave office).

What was not initially revealed when Langdon officially recused himself from dealing with matter related to CNOOC—either at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP or at PFIAP—was the fact that Langdon met with CNOOC officials in China in February to personally lobby them for the contract that would retain his law firm to represent CNOOC before the federal boards—such as the Committee on Foreign Investment. The committee is a very secretive, 12-member board operated by the Department of the Treasury. Sitting on that board are both cabinet officials and high-ranking members of the Bush Administration. While Langdon is not a member of the CFI, when the CFI is reviewing nationals security issues, clearly input from the PFIAP is essential. It is doubtful that point—which requested a review of their proposed purchase by the CFI—escaped the Chinese government when they shook hands with Langdon in Beijing and hired his law firm.

When it was revealed that Langdon's law firm had been retained because of Langdon's lobbying Beijing, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP spokesman Mark Palmer skirted the question of whether the head of the PFIAP flew to Beijing to help his law firm nail down the lobbying deal with communist China and then recused himself from CNOOC matters by simply saying that Langdon "...is not working on the deal." Actually, by that time, after 36-hours in Beijing and a firm handshake, the deal was done and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP—will still be using Langdon's prestige to represent CNOOC before the CFI even if Langdon recuses himself from speaking on behalf of CNOOC, or as the chief intelligence officer of the PFIAP concerning conflicts with national security issues related to China's proposed takeover of Unocal. This whole deal smells like rotten carp.

Langdon, as head of PFIAP, has one of the nation's highest security clearances and is privy to top secret information that is not even available to most members of Congress. His work for CNOOC must be viewed as a conflict of interest. His subsequent recusal from dealing with matters related to CNOOC is inconsequential—its akin to closing the barn door after the farm animals have escaped and are roaming free all over the countryside. Allowing Langdon to remain an active member of an international legal law firm like Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP while serving as a top adviser to the President of the United States borders on insanity. That's like giving an alcoholic the key to a well-stocked liquor cabinet and taking his word that he won't take a drink.

The House Armed Services Committee headed by Congressman Duncan Hunter [R-CA] will hold hearings tomorrow, July 13, on the national security implications of the Langdon link to the CNOOC buyout of UNOCAL Curt Weldon [R-PA] told the media yesterday that he intends to get to the bottom of Langdon's involvement with CNOOC, adding that "...[u]nfortunately, corporate dollars often transcend national security." Langdon's connection to this growing scandal highlights the conflicts of interest that abound in Washington, DC, and the need for laws with teeth that protect the American people from the piranhas of industry who swim in the political seas of plenty, feasting on the taxpayers of the United States as they sacrifice the security of the nation in order to line their pockets.

One of the scheduled witnesses in tomorrow's Armed Services Committee will be Center for Security Policy chairman Frank J. Gaffney, Jr. Gaffney noted that what Langdon did is simply a reflection of "...just how extensive China's tentacles are in official Washington."

But, it's important to remember that China got its toehold in Washington, DC long before George W. Bush came to town. If you recall, the People's Liberation Army financed both of the Clinton-Gore campaigns; and as early as 1983, was funneling money to liberal senatorial campaigns through then Sen. Alan Cranston [D-CA] who headed the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee in order to blunt Ronald Reagan's effectiveness in an attempt to defeat the popular president's re-election in November, 1984.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that CNOOC is upping the ante for its Unocal bid.

BEIJING - Chinese oil company CNOOC Ltd. is considering raising its $18.5 billion bid for Unocal Corp., according to a published report Wednesday.

The state-controlled company's board also was expected to consider making other changes to its bid, the Financial Times said, citing unidentified sources. It didn't say what the higher offer might be.

Spokesmen for Hong Kong-based CNOOC didn't immediately return telephone calls seeking comment.

A higher bid would reflect the state-controlled Chinese firm's determination to woo Unocal shareholders away from a competing bid of $16.6 billion by Chevron Corp.

"The board is unified. The board is interested in winning. Everyone is on the same page," the Financial Times quoted an unidentified person close to the Chinese offer as saying.

Unocal's 10-member board was expected to gather Wednesday to consider whether to recommend shareholders accept the CNOOC offer, revoking its earlier support for Chevron.

CNOOC and Unocal executives have been in talks on what changes to the Chinese bid might lead to it being declared superior to Chevron's by Unocal directors, according to the FT.

The Chinese firm says its all-cash offer is better than Chevron's promise of a mix of cash and stock because it would pay shareholders more and wouldn't result in as many job losses.

The CNOOC offer has prompted opposition from U.S. critics who say letting a Chinese state-controlled firm take over Unocal, the nation's ninth-largest oil company based in El Segundo, Calif., could endanger national security.

CNOOC has promised to cooperate with a U.S. government security review and says it would consider selling some assets in the United States and placing others under American control if necessary.

By Darren Weeks

This weekend, Americans will attend parades, light firecrackers, watch fireworks, and barbeque. They will listen to and sing patriotic songs like the National Anthem, and Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA. They will put their hand on their heart and pledge allegiance to the federal banner, and "to the Republic for which it stands".

As they engage in their many "freedom" festivities, few of them are aware of the degree to which the focus of their celebration has been stolen from them. Few of them actually know that "the Republic" to which they blindly swear their allegiance, has been turned into a socialistic democracy by closet communists in elected and non-elected positions of power. Few, indeed, even know the difference between a representative republic and a democracy.

It is for these, that I write a new updated version of the classic hymn, which was originally penned by Samuel F. Smith in 1832. Since his version is somewhat outdated, given the fact that he writes about America being free and all, this new updated version should serve the newly-enslaved masses well.

By Darren Weeks

The U.S. Senate, in a 54 to 45 vote, passed the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

The agreement is intended to be a lifeline for the impoverished central American countries, designed to help lift them out of poverty, in accordance with chapter 3 of Agenda 21, the United Nations blueprint for sustainable development.

The measure now moves over to the House of Representatives, where a vote is expected in July.

Now is the time to bombard your representatives directly at 1-202-224-3121 (capitol switchboard), and indirectly by urging your state lawmaker to take your case to the Washington lawmakers and represent you there.

Meanwhile, in the House, the other creepy CONgress critters passed a look-good resolution subjecting a Chinese oil company's bid to take over UNOCAL to presidential review.

Despite the threat that a CNOOC takeover of UNOCAL would be to the United States, The 398 to 15 vote simply asserts that "if UNOCAL Corporation enters into an agreement of acquisition, merger, or takeover of UNOCAL Corporation by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, the President should initiate immediately a thorough review of the proposed acquisition, merger, or takeover."

As the president urges for an expansion of trade agreements that have already devastated Americans, eliminated jobs, and undermined our national sovereignty, the U.S. House of Representatives is saying with their meaningless resolution that they trust Bush's judgment on the takeover.

It has never been clearer that we have no friends in Washington.

The executive, legislative, and judicial branches all work for the destruction of our national sovereignty, elimination of our individual liberty, and the annihilation of the U.S. Constitution which was intended to guarantee both sovereignty and liberty.

As Woodrow Wilson stated, after traitorously placing his pen to the Federal Reserve Act of 1913,

"We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated Governments in the civilized world — no longer a Government by free opinion, no longer a Government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a Government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men."

Wilson knew well the subject of which he spoke. He was the president who signed control of America over to the Federal Reserve, an extension of the International Monetary Fund, which is an arm of the United Nations.

America is bankrupt. According to federal law, the U.S. Treasury secretary is receives his salary from the IMF. If he draws his salary from the IMF, then for whom does he work?