Brussels, 16/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington, US Trade Representative and Chief Negotiator Ron Kirk made it clear that he was doubtful that the multilateral Doha Round negotiations could be concluded before the end of 2010. “Considering that we have tried and failed three successive years, if past is prologue, I don't know if I would put too much stock in it,” Kirk said in response to journalists' questions. “We think it's worth staying at the table … I don't believe we should give up. A lot of good work has been done,” he said. He added that the outlook could change if “advanced developing countries such as Brazil, China, India and South Africa come to the table” with better offers. Kirk acknowledged, too, that the Senate's failure to confirm several of President Barack Obama's trade nominees, such as Tim Punke as the US ambassador to the WTO and Isis Siddiqui as the chief agricultural negotiator, “begins to strain our credibility … because the world believes (we) don't care “ about finishing the Doha Round. (E.H./transl.rt)