PNG-Bougainville arms accord

Australia has hailed a breakthrough in disarmament talks between the government of Papua New Guinea and separatists from the island province of Bougainville.

The Australian-brokered talks -- being held in Queensland -- began a week ago and involve more than a-hundred delegates.

The Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, said both sides had agreed to a monitored handover of weapons -- a move he described as an enormous step forward.

He said although it may take some time, there was now agreement on the final decision of how to dispose of weapons.

Hundreds died in a bitter ten-year battle between the government and secessionist Bougainville rebels.

A truce was reached in 1998. The government has agreed to an independence referendum for Bougainville in the next ten to fifteen years.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service