Climate Talks At An Impasse

The UN-sponsored climate change conference in Copenhagen remains at an impasse as African and South American leaders addressed the dispute between poor and rich countries.

Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade accused rich nations of reneging on their promises. Bolivian President Evo Morales and his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez, accused rich countries of creating a "world imperial dictatorship."

German Environment Minister Nobert Roettgen said that a restricted group of 25 countries, among them Britain, Germany and four other Europeans, were discussing ways of helping to break the impasse.

The talks also faced procedural difficulties, as organizers were forced to issue a statement after some media outlets erroneously reported that the conference's chairwoman, Connie Hedegaard, had resigned.

Meanwhile, Danish police used pepper spray and batons to prevent protesters from storming the conference venue.

At least 250 people have been arrested today.