Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PANAMA964
2007-06-08 18:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Panama
Cable title:
PANAMA: NO CHANGE IN RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN
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C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000964
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2017
TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD TW PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA: NO CHANGE IN RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN
Classified By: POLCOUNS Brian R. Naranjo. Reason: 1.4(d)
--------------------------------------------
Panama to Continue Dip Recognition of Taiwan
--------------------------------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000964
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2017
TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD TW PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA: NO CHANGE IN RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN
Classified By: POLCOUNS Brian R. Naranjo. Reason: 1.4(d)
--------------
Panama to Continue Dip Recognition of Taiwan
--------------
1. (U) Panama would continue to recognize diplomatic Taiwan
and to sustain commercial ties with China, Panamanian
Presidency Secretary of State Communications Erich Rodriguez
Auerbach confirmed to the press on June 7. A communique
released by the MFA the same day stated:
"The Government of the Republic of Panama indicated today
that it respected the sovereign decision of Costa Rica whose
president, Oscar Arias, announced yesterday the breaking of
diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
"The Secretary of State Communications, Erich Rodriguez
Auerbach, confirmed that the Administration of President
Martin Torrijos Espino would maintain its current policy that
sustains commercial relations with China and diplomatic ties
with Taiwan.
--------------
Comment
--------------
2. (C) Post continues to assess that Panama will not change
its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in the near
term and that no change is likely before the end of President
Torrijos' term on September 1, 2009. Currently, Panama's
highest priority in its bilateral relationship with the U.S.
is securing the adoption of the recently concluded Trade
Promotion Agreement (TPA). Anxiously counting votes on
Capitol Hill, Panama does not wish to alienate pro-Taiwan
U.S. Congressman. Furthermore, Panama currently sustains
beneficial ties with both Taipei and Beijing -- ties that
include important aid and extensive commercial activity-- and
other and does not see a benefit to rearranging its
diplomatic recognition at this time. The fact that Rodriguez
made this announcement from the Presidency underscores
Panama's desire to maintain the status quo on this matter.
Furthermore, Panama's quick reaction to Costa Rica's
announcement suggests that Panama knew Arias' decision was
coming and wished to quickly put to bed any speculation that
Panama was contemplating a similar shift. Post will pulse
its China-watcher contacts to assess further Panama's
position on this matter.
EATON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2017
TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD TW PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA: NO CHANGE IN RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN
Classified By: POLCOUNS Brian R. Naranjo. Reason: 1.4(d)
--------------
Panama to Continue Dip Recognition of Taiwan
--------------
1. (U) Panama would continue to recognize diplomatic Taiwan
and to sustain commercial ties with China, Panamanian
Presidency Secretary of State Communications Erich Rodriguez
Auerbach confirmed to the press on June 7. A communique
released by the MFA the same day stated:
"The Government of the Republic of Panama indicated today
that it respected the sovereign decision of Costa Rica whose
president, Oscar Arias, announced yesterday the breaking of
diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
"The Secretary of State Communications, Erich Rodriguez
Auerbach, confirmed that the Administration of President
Martin Torrijos Espino would maintain its current policy that
sustains commercial relations with China and diplomatic ties
with Taiwan.
--------------
Comment
--------------
2. (C) Post continues to assess that Panama will not change
its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in the near
term and that no change is likely before the end of President
Torrijos' term on September 1, 2009. Currently, Panama's
highest priority in its bilateral relationship with the U.S.
is securing the adoption of the recently concluded Trade
Promotion Agreement (TPA). Anxiously counting votes on
Capitol Hill, Panama does not wish to alienate pro-Taiwan
U.S. Congressman. Furthermore, Panama currently sustains
beneficial ties with both Taipei and Beijing -- ties that
include important aid and extensive commercial activity-- and
other and does not see a benefit to rearranging its
diplomatic recognition at this time. The fact that Rodriguez
made this announcement from the Presidency underscores
Panama's desire to maintain the status quo on this matter.
Furthermore, Panama's quick reaction to Costa Rica's
announcement suggests that Panama knew Arias' decision was
coming and wished to quickly put to bed any speculation that
Panama was contemplating a similar shift. Post will pulse
its China-watcher contacts to assess further Panama's
position on this matter.
EATON