Military drills to test inter-Korean détente

From the Manila Bulletin (Feb 24): PH-US military talks hit snag

Control Over, Access To Temporary American Facilities A Contentious Issue

The Framework Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation and Rotational Presence between the Philippines and the United States suffered another setback after a key member of the local negotiating panel was sacked supposedly due to disagreements with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario over certain provisions of the framework.

Well-placed sources at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) told Manila Bulletin that Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos King Soreta was removed from his position even before President Aquino announced a few days ago that the agreement is nearing completion.

Soreta apparently earned the ire of Del Rosario and co-members in the negotiating panel as delays continue to plague the talks which began August the previous year.

In one of their heated discussions, Soreta reportedly threatened to resign from the panel at the height of their disagreement over some contentious issues in the document.

One key issue identified was the US’ failure to clearly agree to Philippine control over and access to the temporary US facilities set up in local camps.

Sources said Soreta, who was also the former chief of the Office of American Affairs, has now been relegated to head the Foreign Service Institute.

He will be replaced by his former executive director Gina Jamoralin as acting assistant secretary of the Office of American Affairs.

Philippine Consul General to Los Angeles Maria Hellen Barber Dela Vega, on the other hand, will take over the position to be vacated by Jamoralin.

Other members of the Philippine negotiating panel are Defense Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs and Strategic Concerns Pio Lorenzo Batino, Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, and Defense Assistant Secretary Raymund Jose Quilop.

Negotiations on the policy which increases the presence of US forces in Philippine territory to support the country’s development of a minimum credible defense posture amid territorial threats through capability-building and combined activities commenced on August 14 in Washington.

In the first round of consultations and negotiations, the two sides discussed salient features, such as the working title, preamble, objectives, and scope of the discussions that will give US troops and defense equipment temporary access to Philippine military camps – an arrangement, according to Philippine officials, that will help the country achieve a minimum credible defense amid territorial threats and boost plans to modernize the armed forces.

Immediately following the first round, the Philippines and the US issued a Joint Vision Statement which was billed as a partnership for the 21st century.

The second round of bilateral talks was held in Manila on August 30 during the visit of US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

One stumbling block was the length of the deal: the US suggested a 10 to 20 year-period while the Philippines preferred a much shorter length of time.

The third round was held in Washington, DC from September 13 to 18 during which both panels agreed that all the access to and use of military facilities and areas by the US will be at the invitation of the Philippine government.

At this stage, the draft framework agreement under discussion reportedly included five provisions: scope; agreed installations/AFP facilities; prepositioning of defense equipment, supplies, and material; ownership; and security.

During the fourth round, held in Manila on October 3, the talks quickly reached an impasse over the issue of Philippines access to temporary facilities to be built by the US to support its rotational forces and joint use of US military equipment.

Nevertheless, both sides affirmed that no new agreement would provide for either a permanent US military presence or the basing of US combat aircraft, which is prohibited under the Philippine Constitution.

The 5th round of talks was held in Washington DC on January 30 while Round Six is scheduled next month.

http://www.mb.com.ph/ph-us-military-talks-hit-snag/