PANAMA'S PLANS FOR SUMMIT FOLLOW-UP

UNCLAS PANAMA 001814 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/EPSC, WHA/CEN, AND USOAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON KSUM PM POLITICS FOREIGN POLICY SUBJECT: PANAMA'S PLANS FOR SUMMIT FOLLOW-UP REF: STATE 142145 (SBU) Drawing on reftel, DCM discussed USG planning for the Fourth Summit of the Americas with Foreign Minister-designate Samuel Lewis Navarro, whose initial response was to note that the U.S. themes looked very much like his own party's campaign platform. Indeed, he reiterated what President-elect Torrijos has told us in recent meetings -- that the incoming PRD government will give priority to economic growth by encouraging greater domestic and foreign investment. Lewis said that their goal was "to transform employees into entrepreneurs," which requires reducing the time that it takes Panamanians (and foreigners) to open up a business. He also stressed that another PRD priority was to improve education, which was closely tied to other themes like economic growth and democratic governance. In sum, Lewis said the PRD government that takes power on September 1 will work closely with the United States on these themes, lending whatever support is necessary during the run-up to the November 2005 Summit in Argentina. MCMULLEN