Phl uncertain whether talks with US to bear fruit in 2013

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Department of National Defense (DND) is uncertain whether a framework agreement on increasing rotational presence of US forces in the country can be signed before the year-end, a senior official said today.

"There is really no hard target," said DND undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, the chief negotiator, when asked if the pact can be finished within the year.

The fourth round of negotiations between the two sides occurred early last month in Manila, without a word when the next round will take place. The talks hit the snag as the two sides had differing stance on some of the key provisions of the proposed agreement.

Batino said there was still no definite date when the next round of talks will take place. Nevertheless, the defense official said the two sides had "informal discussions, conversations" since the last round of negotiations. Pressed if the agreement is feasible within the year, he said: "I cannot estimate."

"We're just concentrating on some core provisions," said Batino, who had said after the last round of talks that the "gaps" in the negotiations will require "a lot of work" in preparation for the next formal meeting.