PANAMA SENDS OBSERVERS TO HAITIAN ELECTIONS

UNCLAS PANAMA 002095

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL PM HA POLITICS FOREIGN POLICY
SUBJECT: PANAMA SENDS OBSERVERS TO HAITIAN ELECTIONS

REF: STATE 157629

(SBU) Panama sent three Electoral Tribunal magistrates,
magistrate president Eduardo Valdes Escoffrey, magistrate
Dennis Allen Frias and magistrate Erasmo Pinilla Castillero,
to observe October local elections in Haiti as part of the
mission organized by International Committee of Elections
Canada. GOP has coordinated its participation with Elections
Canada. Valdes, Frias and Pinilla will also observe the
November national elections and run-off elections as part of
the Elections Canada mission. In addition, Electoral
Tribunal District Director Juan Barranco was selected by
Elections Canada to form part of a ten-member technical team
that supports Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council.
Barranco will remain in Port au Prince from September 3, 2005
to February 2006, when the elections process is expected to
be completed. Embassy will report any updates to the
Department.

EATON