DND chief hopeful that impasse in IRP talks will be resolved

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 6): DND chief hopeful that impasse in IRP talks will be resolved

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Wednesday admitted that there is an impasse between the Philippine and American panels' ongoing talks regarding the Framework Agreement for the Increased Rotational Presence (IRP) but expressed confidence that the issue will be resolved.

"I don't think the talks will collapse, I am very optimistic that the issue will be resolved," he added.

The issue Gazmin was referring to was the fact that the US panel wants to limit the Philippines access to the temporary facilities that the Americans will construct in the country once the IRP is signed or ratified.

The Philippine side wants equal access.

He added that this matter is currently under negotiation as all aspects of the IRP should be beneficial to the country in the long run.

"Eventually, (we are hoping) that both parties will come to an understanding," Gazmin stressed.

American and Filipino negotiators, on the fourth round of talks for the Framework Agreement on the Increased Rotational Presence (IRP), have admitted to encountering some "gaps" during the course of their two-day meeting in Manila last Oct 1 and 2.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=583576