Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PANAMA527
2009-07-02 15:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Panama
Cable title:
CORRECTED COPY DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE REQUESTS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHZP #0527 1831520 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 021520Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA TO RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL INFO RHMFISS/COMSC WASHINGTON DC RULGPUA/COMUSNAVSO RHMFISS/CNO WASHINGTON DC RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3550 RHMFISS/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/DIRJIATF SOUTH RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000527
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PM
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE REQUESTS
DURING PANAMA'S POLITICAL TRANISITION
Classified By: Ambassador Barbara J. Stephenson for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000527
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PM
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE REQUESTS
DURING PANAMA'S POLITICAL TRANISITION
Classified By: Ambassador Barbara J. Stephenson for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Panama's next President, Ricardo Martinelli, and his
cabinet will be sworn in on 01 July 2009. The current
government is not approving any diplomatic clearance requests
for ships or aircraft that occur on or after 01 July.
Beginning on 01 July a new group of officials will be sworn
in and will be empowered to approve diplomatic clearance
requests from that point forward. Since this new group will
lack familiarity with the diplomatic clearance request
process, it is vital to our future relationship with the
incoming government that all ships, aircraft and personnel
closely adhere to the rules set forth in the Foreign
Clearance Guide (FCG). Current guidance may be viewed at:
www.fcg.pentagon.mil
2. (C) Failure to closely adhere to this guidance could
result in violations of Panama's territorial waters and/or
airspace, and could in turn cause great damage to our
relationship with the inbound Martinelli administration.
Therefore, short-notice requests shall be avoided during this
transition period (especially between 30 June and 13 July
2009),except for valid emergencies such as MEDEVACS.
Furthermore, it is imperative that every ship and aircraft
bound for Panama confirm with DAO Panama City that it has
received clearance prior to entering Panamanian waters or
airspace.
3. (C) Diplomatic clearance requests submitted to DAO Panama
City that fail to adhere to the advance notice requirements
set forth in the FCG will be rejected, unless the request is
related to a genuine emergency.
STEPHENSON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PM
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY DIPLOMATIC CLEARANCE REQUESTS
DURING PANAMA'S POLITICAL TRANISITION
Classified By: Ambassador Barbara J. Stephenson for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Panama's next President, Ricardo Martinelli, and his
cabinet will be sworn in on 01 July 2009. The current
government is not approving any diplomatic clearance requests
for ships or aircraft that occur on or after 01 July.
Beginning on 01 July a new group of officials will be sworn
in and will be empowered to approve diplomatic clearance
requests from that point forward. Since this new group will
lack familiarity with the diplomatic clearance request
process, it is vital to our future relationship with the
incoming government that all ships, aircraft and personnel
closely adhere to the rules set forth in the Foreign
Clearance Guide (FCG). Current guidance may be viewed at:
www.fcg.pentagon.mil
2. (C) Failure to closely adhere to this guidance could
result in violations of Panama's territorial waters and/or
airspace, and could in turn cause great damage to our
relationship with the inbound Martinelli administration.
Therefore, short-notice requests shall be avoided during this
transition period (especially between 30 June and 13 July
2009),except for valid emergencies such as MEDEVACS.
Furthermore, it is imperative that every ship and aircraft
bound for Panama confirm with DAO Panama City that it has
received clearance prior to entering Panamanian waters or
airspace.
3. (C) Diplomatic clearance requests submitted to DAO Panama
City that fail to adhere to the advance notice requirements
set forth in the FCG will be rejected, unless the request is
related to a genuine emergency.
STEPHENSON