PANAMA NONCOMMITTAL ON NAM DEMARCHE ISSUES

UNCLAS PANAMA 001825 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PM SUBJECT: PANAMA NONCOMMITTAL ON NAM DEMARCHE ISSUES REF: A. STATE 145242 ¶B. STATE 149133 ¶C. STATE 151212 ¶1. (U) Panama continues to support Guatemala's candidacy for the UN Security Council, MFA Deputy Director for External Politics Vladimir Franco told POLOFFS September 8. Franco was less enthusiastic about USG views on terrorism, democracy in Cuba, and the Middle East (see reftel A). He doubted that large NAM countries such as India would be willing to accept changes in the definition of terrorism. On transition in Cuba, Franco said it was up to the Cuban people to bring democracy to their own country and that Panama could not enforce or encourage democracy from the outside. (Comment: This differs from President Torrijos's message that Panama supported democratic transition in Cuba. End Comment.) Franco also thought Panama and other third countries would have little ability to moderate any discussion of the Middle East conflict at the NAM summit, and cited UN Secretary General Annan's public remarks against Israel. ¶2. (U) Regarding Darfur and Iran, Franco agreed to pass on talking points to NAM attendees (see reftels B and C),but made no substantive remarks concerning either issue. ARREAGA