PANAMANIAN V/MFA ON SECURING OAS ACTION TO

UNCLAS PANAMA 000391 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PM OAS POL CHIEF SUBJECT: PANAMANIAN V/MFA ON SECURING OAS ACTION TO INVESTIGATE TRAFFIC IN MANPADS REF: STATE 26516 (SBU) POL Counselor delivered reftel demarche on securing Nicaraguan assent for OAS action to investigate traffic in MANPADS to Vice Foreign Minister Ricardo Duran on February 17, pointing out the danger that illegal Nicaraguan arms flows pose for Panamanian and regional economies, security, investment, civil aviation, and tourism. Vice Minister Duran acknowledged the risks and said he would discuss the matter with Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis. WATT