
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 17, 1990                   TAG: 9005170154
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: The Washington Post
DATELINE: MANILA, PHILIPPINES                                LENGTH: Short

PHILIPPINES BASE TALKS TAKE UNFRIENDLY TURN

Talks on the future of American military bases here turned unexpectedly rancorous Wednesday after the Philippines accused the United States of reneging on past aid commitments and warned that a failure to come up with the promised funds "will endanger the future of our talks."

The chief U.S. negotiator here, Richard Armitage, responded equally bluntly, an American spokesman said, telling the Philippine panel "that he is not an accountant, he does not stand next to a cash register when conducting foreign affairs."

The United States also gently chided the Philippines for failing to provide adequate security around the U.S. bases, in the wake of increased attacks by communist rebels against American servicemen.

Communist rebels assassinated two U.S. airmen in Angeles City Sunday night.

by CNB