Whether the Senate needs to ratify the pact will depend on what's in it, wrote Sen.

CNN: Iraq no 'platform' for attacks elsewhere, U.S. envoy says

Koizumi has not said if Japan would ratify the pact if Washington stays out.

CNN: U.N. bids to rescue climate deal

The U.S. Senate has refused to ratify the pact unless developing nations, notably China and India, take firm steps to cut their own emissions.

CNN: NATURE'S WRATH

Its arcane rules require 55 countries (who must represent at least 55% of the industrial world's greenhouse-gas emissions in 1990) to ratify the pact before it comes into force.

ECONOMIST: Climate change

But the American position suffered a blow Monday when Australia's new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signed papers to ratify the Kyoto Protocol climate pact.

NPR: Climate Experts Mull Payment to Stop Deforestation

The Republic of Ireland has voted on whether to ratify the EU's Fiscal Pact, which sets strict limits for countries' budget deficits.

BBC: Ireland votes on EU fiscal pact