Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PANAMA54
2007-01-16 21:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Panama
how-toVZCZCXYZ0014 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHZP #0054 0162129 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 162129Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9616 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000054
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PRM AND WHA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2017
TAGS: PREF PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA UNLIKELY TO ACCEPT MIGRANTS
REF: STATE 3439
Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM EATON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D
C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000054
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PRM AND WHA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2017
TAGS: PREF PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA UNLIKELY TO ACCEPT MIGRANTS
REF: STATE 3439
Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM EATON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D
1. (C) Panama is highly unlikely to accept Caribbean
migrants in the event of a mass migration, due to historical
sensitivities to U.S. military presence as well as a general
reluctance to accept displaced persons. In addition, Panama
lacks the institutional capacity to run a migrant camp. Per
reftel instructions, below is post's assessment of Panama's
ability and willingness to house migrants in a mass migration
contingency.
a. Panama would not be willing to establish a camp to house
1,000 or more migrants. Panama is extremely unlikely to host
a U.S.-funded, built, or run camp. Given the legacy of U.S.
military presence in Panama, it would be too politically
sensitive for the GOP to even consider such a measure.
b. Panama would not be willing to establish such a camp,
whether or not the United States took on migrants at GTMO.
Panama will expect the United States to bear the brunt of any
outflow.
c. Panama is unlikely to take migrants from any countries.
As far back as post can recall, Panama has turned down all
USG requests to house migrants from any country.
Furthermore, Panama already has issues dealing with the
displaced persons from the Colombian conflict and would not
be capable of dealing with additional migrants.
d. Willingness to accept Cuban migrants would not be greater
in a post-Fidel environment. Rather, Panama would likely see
a less compelling case to take on migrants from a post-Fidel
Cuba.
e. Post does not anticipate any negative impact on political
or bilateral issues if we approached Panama.
f. Panama would be unwilling to establish any camp,
regardless of size and which government paid for the camp.
g. Panama would not want any camp, not self run and
certainly not U.S. run, with the sensitivities to U.S.
military presence in Panama. Given Panama's problems with
prison overcrowding and harsh prison conditions, we cannot be
confident that Panama can run additional facilities.
h. Panama would object to a U.S. built or run camp and would
expect the United States to take any migrants.
Eaton
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR PRM AND WHA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2017
TAGS: PREF PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA UNLIKELY TO ACCEPT MIGRANTS
REF: STATE 3439
Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM EATON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D
1. (C) Panama is highly unlikely to accept Caribbean
migrants in the event of a mass migration, due to historical
sensitivities to U.S. military presence as well as a general
reluctance to accept displaced persons. In addition, Panama
lacks the institutional capacity to run a migrant camp. Per
reftel instructions, below is post's assessment of Panama's
ability and willingness to house migrants in a mass migration
contingency.
a. Panama would not be willing to establish a camp to house
1,000 or more migrants. Panama is extremely unlikely to host
a U.S.-funded, built, or run camp. Given the legacy of U.S.
military presence in Panama, it would be too politically
sensitive for the GOP to even consider such a measure.
b. Panama would not be willing to establish such a camp,
whether or not the United States took on migrants at GTMO.
Panama will expect the United States to bear the brunt of any
outflow.
c. Panama is unlikely to take migrants from any countries.
As far back as post can recall, Panama has turned down all
USG requests to house migrants from any country.
Furthermore, Panama already has issues dealing with the
displaced persons from the Colombian conflict and would not
be capable of dealing with additional migrants.
d. Willingness to accept Cuban migrants would not be greater
in a post-Fidel environment. Rather, Panama would likely see
a less compelling case to take on migrants from a post-Fidel
Cuba.
e. Post does not anticipate any negative impact on political
or bilateral issues if we approached Panama.
f. Panama would be unwilling to establish any camp,
regardless of size and which government paid for the camp.
g. Panama would not want any camp, not self run and
certainly not U.S. run, with the sensitivities to U.S.
military presence in Panama. Given Panama's problems with
prison overcrowding and harsh prison conditions, we cannot be
confident that Panama can run additional facilities.
h. Panama would object to a U.S. built or run camp and would
expect the United States to take any migrants.
Eaton