PANAMA: PROSECUTERS REQUEST ACCESS TO PAS DATA

UNCLAS PANAMA 000151 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO CVIS CJAN OEXC PM SUBJECT: PANAMA: PROSECUTERS REQUEST ACCESS TO PAS DATA -------------- Summary and Action Request -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The Embassy received a diplomatic note from the Panamanian MFA on February 17 asking whether five individauls had "benefited from any kind of program" from the USG from 2007-2008. The note said the information was being requested in relation to a corruption investigation. After requesting clarification, Post received a faxed copy of a letter from the Panamanian Attorney General's Office specifying that they were seeking information about "study, cultural exchange, or academic seminar" programs. End Summary ¶2. (SBU) Action Request: Post requests guidance for response, if appropriate. -------------- Unofficial Translation of Dipnote -------------- ¶3. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT: UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION REPUBLIC OF PANAMA Ministry of Foreign Relations -------------- PANAMA 4, PANAMA N/V A.J. No. 358 The Ministry of Foreign Relations, Directorate General of Legal Affairs and Treaties, presents its compliments to the Honorable Embassy of the United States of America, on the occasion of referring to Note PGN-SAI-066-09 of January 20, 2009, through which the Attorney General,s International Affairs Secretariat requested cooperation from the Embassy to know if the following persons have been benefited with any program from the Government of the United States of America, during the period between 2007 and 2008: ELIGIO CECILIO BINNS, identification No. 1-18-2736 ARCELIO AGUSTIN JESSE ROOL, identification No. 1-19-1539 DILIO BEKER BEKER, identification No. 1-48-326 GEMAIN ANTONIO TEJEIRA WAITE, identification No. 1-45-465 ERNESTO ORIFIEL AVILES SMITH, identification No. 1-21-2193 The Ministry of Foreign Relations, Directorate General of Legal Affairs and Treaties, informs the Honorable Embassy of the United States of America that the said request is needed by the First Anticorruption Prosecutor,s Office within the proceedings on the possible commission of crimes against the Administration (File 0402-08). The Ministry of Foreign Relations, Directorate General of Legal Affairs and Treaties, takes this opportunity to reiterate to the Honorable Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. Panama, February 10, 2009. To the Honorable EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Panama City. End Text -------------- -------------- Unofficial Translation of Letter from the A/G's Office -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT: Republic of Panama Attorney General,s Office International Affairs Secretariat Panama, January 20, 2009 PGN-SAI-066-09 Director: I am addressing you on the occasion of notifying that the First Anticorruption Prosecutor,s Office is carrying out proceedings on the possible commission of crimes against the Administration (File 0402-08). The prosecutor requires certification of whether the following persons have been benefited with any program from the United States of America, during the period between 2007 and 2008. Eligio Cecilio Binns, identification No. 1-18-2736 Arcelio Agustin Jessee Rook, identification No. 1-19-1539 Dilio Beker Beker, identification No. 1-48-326 Germain Antonio Tejeira Waite, identification No. 1-45-465 Ernesto Orifiel Aviles Smith, identification No. 1-21-2193 I would appreciate it, Mr. Director, that through your dignified channels, you request that the Embassy of the United States of America provide what is needed by the Prosecutor on the Above-mentioned proceedings. I take this occasion to reiterate to the Director, my most distinguished and highest consideration. /signed/ Greta Marchosky de Turner International Affairs Secretary To His Excellency Vladimir Franco Director General of Legal Affairs and Treaties Ministry of Foreign Relations Panama City. GMdeT/itzy cc. First Anticorruption Prosecutor,s Office -------------- -------------- Unofficial Translation of Second Letter From A/G's Office -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT: Republic of Panama Attorney General,s Office International Affairs Secretariat Panama, February 18, 2009 PGN-SAN-263-09 Director: In addition to our note PGN-SAI-006-09 of January 20 of this year, I would like to inform you that the First Anticorruption Prosecutor,s Office needs is that the Embassy of the United States of America certify whether the below mentioned persons have been benefited with any study, cultural exchange, academic seminar programs, during the period between 2007 and 2008. Eligio Cecilio Binns, identification No. 1-18-2736 Arcelio Agustin Jessee Rook, identification No. 1-19-1539 Dilio Beker Beker, identification No. 1-48-326 Germain Antonio Tejeira Waite, identification No.1-45-465 Ernesto Orifiel Aviles Smith, identification No. 1-21-2193 I take this opportunity to reiterate to the Director the assurances of my highest and distinguished consideration. /signed/ Greta Marchosky de Turner International Affairs Secretariat To His Excellency Vladimir Franco Director General of Legal Affairs and Treaties Ministry of Foreign Relations Panama City. GMdeT/itzy. cc. First Anticorruption Prosecutor,s Office End TEXT. STEPHENSON