1.   That eliminates pressure on other holdout countries, like Russia, China and India, to join the land mine ban.

2.   The treaty and its verification provisions can be used to detect and publicize any violations by these and other holdout countries.

3.   Negotiators held meetings throughout Geneva on Tuesday and Wednesday in hopes of gaining support from the three holdout countries.

4.   The three key holdout countries were coming under pressure from different sides, diplomats said.

5.   That breakthrough could get some holdout western countries which would form the backbone of the treaty to sign on.

6.   That should get some holdout western countries which would be the backbone of the treaty to sign on.