This sheds a more even light on the subject: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4044895.stm

Notice that there has been a year of negotiations already. Also I get the impression the actual point of the ultimatum (without actual date), is to speed up the decision process and preferable not to go it alone.

The need for multilateralism here is not because of moral issues, but to get the cash together.

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