Fed: Downer says breakthrough on arms

AAP General News (Australia)
02-23-2001
Fed: Downer says breakthrough on arms

TOWNSVILLE, Qld, Feb 23 AAP - Negotiators from the warring Bougainville factions had
made a breakthrough on the pivotal issue of arms disposal, Foreign Minister Alexander
Downer said today.

Mr Downer said parties at the talks in Townsville had agreed weapons should be handed
in to a central location where they would be held in shipping containers for eventual
disposal.

The Foreign Minister revealed the agreement after private talks with the three Bougainville
factions and Papua New Guinea government ministers.

"This is an enormous step forward and …