GOP SETS CANAL EXPANSION VOTE FOR OCT. 22

UNCLAS PANAMA 001411 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT ECON ETRD PM SUBJECT: GOP SETS CANAL EXPANSION VOTE FOR OCT. 22 REF: (A) PANAMA 1287 (B) PANAMA 1292 ¶1. (U) President Torrijos announced Saturday, July 15 that the referendum on the $5.25 billion expansion of the Panama Canal would be held October 22, 2006. The National Assembly approved the expansion legislation on Friday July 14th in a unanimous 72-0 vote. Three amendments were made to the original bill submitted by the Executive (Ref A): 1) inclusion of a tunnel/bridge for Colon; 2) an ad-hoc oversight committee to support transparency and accountability; and, 3) specifications as to whom in the GOP can speak publicly on behalf of the referendum. ¶2. (U) President Torrijos signed the bill on July 17 in a public ceremony at the Presidential Palace. The GOP will likely publish the bill to in the official Gazette on Wednesday, July 19, thus completing the formal approval process. Meanwhile, the National Front for Economic and Social Rights (FRENADESO),which spearheaded last year's protests against social security reforms, stated that it would launch its campaign against expanding the Canal today. LATTIMER