Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PANAMA1134
2005-05-23 23:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Panama
Cable title:  

PANAMA CSS REFORM DEMONSTRATIONS BEGIN IN EARNEST

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UNCLAS PANAMA 001134 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN, DS/ITA, DS/IP/WHA, DS/LECC
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
VANCOUVER FOR CG ARREAGA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PM PREL POLITICS FOREIGN POLICY
SUBJECT: PANAMA CSS REFORM DEMONSTRATIONS BEGIN IN EARNEST


UNCLAS PANAMA 001134

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN, DS/ITA, DS/IP/WHA, DS/LECC
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
VANCOUVER FOR CG ARREAGA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PM PREL POLITICS FOREIGN POLICY
SUBJECT: PANAMA CSS REFORM DEMONSTRATIONS BEGIN IN EARNEST



1. (SBU) ON MONDAY, MAY 23, THE FIRST ROUND OF DEBATES IN
PANAMA'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CONTINUED AMID ROWDY, MAINLY
STUDENT-LED DEMONSTRATIONS IN PRINCIPAL STREETS OF THE CITY,
AND AT LEAST 70 ARRESTS. POLICE REPORTED STUDENTS WERE
CARRYING KNIVES, MOLOTOV COCKTAILS, PLIERS, AND PETARDS.
SOME WORE MASKS. CURRENTLY, THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HAS NO
PLANS TO ASK FOR A SECOND TEN-DAY ROUND OF DEBATES FOR THE
REFORM PACKAGE PRESENTED BY THE RULING DEMOCRATIC
REVOLUTIONARY PARTY (PRD MEANING THE SOCIAL SECURITY (CSS)
REFORMS COULD BE PASSED IN THE PRD-CONTROLLED ASSEMBLY THIS
WEEK. PANAMENISTA PARTY POLITICIANS HAVE INFORMED EMBASSY
PERSONNEL THAT THE ASSEMBLY WILL MOST LIKELY PASS THE PACKAGE
WITH ONLY MINOR CHANGES, AND WITH LITTLE OR NO OPPOSITION
INPUT. PANAMENISTA MANUEL GRIMALDO VOICED CONCERN THAT
OPPOSITION, LABOR, AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS WERE NOT
BEING CONSULTED IN THE DEBATE SESSIONS, JUST AS THEY HAD
FEARED. GRIMALDO ATTENDED SESSIONS SUNDAY, MAY 22, DURING
WHICH NEITHER HEALTH MINISTER ALLEYNE NOR CSS DIRECTOR
GENERAL LUCIANI WERE PRESENT. LUCIANI SENT HIS SECRETARY
GENERAL INSTEAD. GRIMALDO ALSO SAID THAT PRD LABOR COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN LEANDRO AVILA HAS PRIVATELY TOLD THE OPPOSITION HE
WAS CONFIDENT THE REFORMS WILL PASS.


2. (U) MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS, WHICH WERE
SMALLER THAN EXPECTED, HAS BEEN SENSATIONALIST, HOWEVER,
STUDENTS, POLICE, AND A REPORTER DID SUFFER MINOR INJURIES.
THE MINISTRY OF GOVERNMENT AND JUSTICE AND NATIONAL POLICE
HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON TO APPEAL FOR
DIALOGUE. THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ALSO CANCELED CLASSES AT
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE, THE SCHOOL FROM WHICH MOST OF THE
STUDENTS INCITING DEMONSTRATIONS CAME.


3. (U) POST HAS ISSUED A WARDEN MESSAGE, AND THERE HAVE BEEN
NO DISRUPTIONS IN EMBASSY OPERATIONS. POST WILL PROVIDE
UPDATES AS WEEK'S EVENTS UNFOLD.
WATT