Climate talks near end

Negotiators at the World climate change talks are approaching an agreement on the last solitary issue on rules for carrying out the Kyoto Protocol.

The conference chairman, Jan Pronk, has warned that the talks will fail unless the problem is solved.

Officials of the host country, Germany, say delegates are moving toward acceptance of a demand by Japan.

It wants to soften language on what actions should be taken against countries that fail to meet their commitments.

During marathon talks extending into a second night, Jan Pronk summoned the delegations to announce that the compliance clause was the only major issue unresolved.