Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04PANAMA1014
2004-05-03 02:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Panama
Cable title:  

PANAMA RESULTS: MARTIN TORRIJOS IS PRESIDENT

Tags:  PGOV PM POL CHIEF 
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UNCLAS PANAMA 001014

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE


DEPT. FOR WHA/CEN/BRIGHAM
NSC FOR TOM SHANNON


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PM POL CHIEF
SUBJECT: PANAMA RESULTS: MARTIN TORRIJOS IS PRESIDENT


(SBU) In a smashing victory that validated the opinion polls
and probably will give him a popular mandate, Martin Torrijos
swept to victory in Panama's May 2 national elections. With
more than 45% of precincts reporting at 9:00 p.m., Democratic
Revolutionary Party (PRD) standard bearer Torrijos had 47-48%
of the vote, followed by Solidarity Party candidate former
president Guillermo Endara with 30-31%, and
Arnulfista-MOLIRENA-National Liberal candidate Jose Miguel
Aleman with 17-18%. Democratic Action Party candidate
Ricardo Martinelli was last with 4-5%. Panama's Electoral
Tribunal president called Torrijos at 7:40 p.m. local time to
tell him that he was the unofficial winner. Aleman and
Endara both conceded defeat and both said that Torrijos had
won fairly, adding that they would give him their full
support. There were isolated allegations of fraud and vote
buying in several legislative races, although it may take
several days for the charges to be investigated. OAS
observer mission chief Moises Benamor told PolOff that he had
congratulated the Electoral Tribunal and added that Panama
did an excellent job compared with other electoral processes
in the region. All newly elected officials will take office
on September 1, 2004. Embassy will report comprehensive
election results on May 3 by septel.


WATT