US seeks quick mines talks

GENEVA The United States yesterday' called for speedy negotiations to conclude global bans on landmines and the production of…

GENEVA The United States yesterday' called for speedy negotiations to conclude global bans on landmines and the production of fissile material used for making nuclear bombs, saying both issues were ripe for resolution.

Mr John Holum, director of the US arms control and disarmament agency, rejected a push by non-aligned states led by India to negotiate global nuclear disarmament in the Conference on Disarmament. Washington favoured a step-by-step approach.

The UN-sponsored Geneva forum, began its second seven-week session of 1997 yesterday without a formal work programme.