MANILA : Last Time on Bases?
The fifth round of talks on the future of U.S. military bases in the Philippines will begin Sunday. Although negotiators must still decide how long the bases can stay, and how much the Pentagon must pay, both sides hope to initial an agreement after this round.
U.S. negotiators expect a seven- to 10-year “phase-down” of operations at the Subic Bay naval facility and Clark Air Base, but with continued access into the future. Three smaller communications facilities and a rest-and-recreation camp will be transferred to Philippine control.
Washington says it should also pay less than the current $481 million a year for use of the facilities. But Manila, not surprisingly, doesn’t agree.
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