Dutch Austerity Talks Hit 'Difficult Phase'

Mike Corder - The Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Talks to slash billions of euros in Dutch government spending to bring the deficit back within European Union limits hit a "difficult phase" Wednesday and were halted for the day, authorities said.

The announcement, made in a brief statement by the Government Information Service, gave no further details of the impasse. Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his fellow negotiators have refused to divulge information about the contents of the austerity package they are discussing, because of the sensitivity of the talks.

Negotiations were scheduled to resume Thursday at Rutte's official mansion in a leafy Hague neighborhood.

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March 28, 2012