Estrada's US visit tied to MJ's extradition?

The case of US fugitive Mark Jimenez who continue to enjoy his liberty despite extradition request from America, would likely stall President Estrada's visit to Washington, sources at the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

The sources clarified there were no official talks on plea bargain for Jimenez but surrendering was just an option laid on him.

"The White House's non-accommodation of Mr. Estrada's supposed visit to the US is linked to his extradition case," the sources said.

US Embassy press attache Tom Skipper said Jimenez, himself, denied any negotiations on his voluntary surrender based on reports.

The US has stressed that the Philippine government's compliance to the extradition treaty between the two countries, as in the Jimenez case, would be a defining moment for RP-US relations.

The former Miami-based businessman faces a string of charges in the US, ranging from tax evasion to making illegal campaign contributions to Democratic candidates including US President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.

Earlier, the Philippine Embassy in Washington said the schedule of US President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton did not include a reception for Mr. Estrada.

Sources said the American president and his wife were apparently too busy to accommodate Mr. Estrada, whom Clinton invited for a visit during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in September of last year.