Bomb ban talks hailed as success

The biggest disarmament conference held in New Zealand has been declared a success with clear indications that most countries will support a treaty banning cluster munitions.

A draft treaty survived threatened walkouts and intense debate and lobbying at the week-long conference at Wellington Town Hall attended by 500 delegates from 120 countries.

Some Western countries, including France, Britain, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands, were frustrated that their attempts to amend the draft treaty were not accepted.

Members of the "like-minded group" wanted implementation of treaty provisions to be delayed and exemptions for certain types of cluster munitions. They also fear the treaty could affect their ability to join military operations alongside countries that use cluster munitions - a particular issue for Nato as the United States is not backing the treaty.

All attempts to reword the draft treaty were rejected but a walkout was averted when conference chairman Don MacKay agreed to include proposed amendments in a "compendium", which will go to a final diplomatic conference in Ireland in two months' time.

Disarmament Minister Phil Goff said he expected most countries would now sign the treaty in Dublin.

"What we've seen here in three days is more progress than what we've seen in five years in Geneva", where weapons treaties have been negotiated.

Cluster Munitions Coalition co-chairman Grette Ostern said New Zealand had done a good job hosting the conference - a historic step toward a treaty that would save lives.

Landmine Action director Simon Conway was elated that pressure to weaken the draft treaty had been withstood.