Awwal 17, 1432 H/Feb 20, 2011, SPA -- The Dutch government said on Sunday the time had passed for talks over Iceland's debts and the island state needs to resolve internally the president's refusal to accept an agreement on Icesave banking repayments. Iceland's president on Sunday refused to sign a bill outlining a plan to pay $5 billion to Britain and Netherlands for debts incurred from the financial crisis, triggering a referendum and renewed uncertainty over the island's recovery. "We have passed the stage of negotiations, but it is not up to us how this situation in Iceland will advance. We are sure the Icelandic government will consider the new situation and we hope to hear from them soon," Reuters quoted Dutch Finance Ministry spokesman Niels Redeker as saying.
