"The problem is not global warming but the ideology which uses or misuses it -- it has gradually turned into the most efficient vehicle for advocating extensive government intervention into all fields of life and for suppressing human freedom."

The Czech President was speaking in New York at a conference of climate change sceptics.  Talking about existing methods of energy generation he said: "If someone wilfully abandons the existing technologies before new and far better ones are invented, he will only block economic growth."

Mr Klaus also used his visit to America to warn against Barack Obama's current economic policy trajectory.  "The best thing to do right now would be to temporarily weaken, if not repeal," business regulations on labor, the environment, social issues and health, he said.  Janet Daley wants to import him to Britain.