US PROXY IN HONDURAS PEACE TALKS? Panama

[magbana]

Panama Joins Honduras Talks
Escrito por ana valdes portela
martes, 21 de julio de 2009

Panamá, Jul 21 (Prensa Latina) Panama began an active and important role in mediating the conflict in Honduras aiming to help both parties reach an agreement, informed the vice president of the republic, Juan Carlos Varela, also chancellor of the Republic.

He told the press that he would travel to Costa Rica today to attend a meeting of chancellors on the issue.

"We agree with the restitution of President Manuel Zelaya to power under parameters of respecting democratic order," Varela explained.

He added that meetings have been in progress in Panama since Monday with representatives of the de facto regime in Honduras. Press versions mention participation of Costa Rican authorities.

"We are optimistic regarding a rapprochement. Panama has joined other governments cooperating to guarantee the democratic process in Honduras," he said.

"We are advancing, there must be a little bit of patience and we hope that in 72 hours we will have positive information," Varela concluded.

pgh/mem/avp/ms
Modificado el ( martes, 21 de julio de 2009 ) "
http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=102772&Itemid=1

[magbana]

1. Excerpt from Eva's 7-22 Update re; Panama

"The new Panamanian government, led by recently inaugurated President Martinelli, a multi-millionaire neoliberal conservative, has applauded the Honduran military for "keeping order" in the country. Apparently, Panama is recognizing the coup regime and working closely with Micheletti to resolve the growing economic problems in Honduras. Micheletti and Martinelli are old friends, both members of several business councils in Central and Latin America."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=405x19612

[Downwinder]

2. Proxy or Co-conspirator?? n/t

[magbana]

4. los dos n/t

[magbana]

3. Panama Coming on Strong, Wants to Act as Mediator in Place of Arias

"Panama Expects Honduran Resolution
Escrito por ana valdes portela
miércoles, 22 de julio de 2009

22 de julio de 2009, 13:39Imagen activa

Panama, Jul 22 (Prensa Latina) Panamanian Foreign Affairs minister, Juan Carlos Varela, expressed optimism regarding a solution to the crisis in Honduras after the coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

He informed the press that his country was willing to act as mediator in place of Costa Rica president, Oscar Arias, especially after the failure of Sunday's negotiations.

For this reason Panama accepted a meeting Monday between the Costa Rican Foreign Affairs minister, Bruno Stagno and representatives of the de facto regime in Honduras.

Varela revealed that prior contacts were held with representatives of the coup officials after their refusal to accept proposals made by Arias.

In this respect, he added, discussed was the need to return to order that includes restitution of constitutional president, Manuel Zelaya, and "reinforcing the democratic process of this country."

Later, an exchange was held between Stagno and representatives of the de facto regime."
http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103069&Itemid=1

[magbana]

5. Panama Praises "Professionalism" of Honduras Army in the Crisis

Tuesday, July 21st 2009 - 11:58 pm UTC
Panama praises “professionalism” of Honduras Army in the crisis

Panamanian Vice-president and Foreign Affairs minister Juan Carlos Varela praised the Honduran Army for its “professionalism” in dealing with the political crisis of the country in spite of repeated claims of repression from human rights organizations.



Juan Carlos Varela said the Army is complying with Supreme Court decisions Juan Carlos Varela said the Army is complying with Supreme Court decisions

“Our country (Panama) suffered a military dictatorship, and here the military organized a coup and remained in power for 21 years; they dumped people out of aircrafts; killed priests and nuns; disappeared people; mutilated members of political parties including the one of which I am now president”, said Varela.

However he emphasized “I, with my eyes in Honduras have seen a responsible Army, complying Supreme Court decisions and in the middle of a political crisis, of which they are not part”.

Varela made the statements when asked about claims from Bertha Oliva, coordinator of the Families Committee of Detained and Disappeared in Honduras, Cofadeh.

Oliva was quoted saying that the “political, police and military actors from the dirty war of the eighties are now back together as the main protagonists of the current political-military coup” against President Manuel Zelaya.

The ousted president has been trying to return following the mandate from the Organization of American States.

“I have no inclination towards these military, but I must admit that the Honduras Armed Forces have displayed a professional management of the situation, because we must understand they are in the middle of a dispute between two branches of government”, said Varela.

Panama recognizes the constitutional government of President Zelaya and on Monday acted as a facilitator for a meeting between representatives from the government of Costa Rica and delegates of the facto regime in Honduras, trying to bring positions together and analyzing possible options for the crisis.

Varela also pointed out that Panama openly supports the mediation efforts from Costa Rica president Oscar Arias to avoid bloodshed in Honduras. The dialogue initiative was originally launched by Panama and Colombia.

“We are optimistic about reaching some kind of deal which ensures peace to the brother people of Honduras; I emphasize that what most matters is the integrity of the Honduran people”, said Varela. "
http://en.mercopress.com/2009/07/21/panama-praises-professionalism-of-honduras-army-in-the-crisis

[EFerrari]

6. By the weekend, it will be Uribe's turn at bat. On deck, Garcia.

They can't seriously think anyone believes these machinations.

[rabs]

7. There was a secret meeting in Bogota on Monday night

Carlos López, the golpista foreign minister, led a delegation of the Goriletti government to meet with Uribe. The trip was made from Panama City after the golpistas had met with official there.

Last night the golpista newspapers in Tegu were crowing that Uribe had expressed "sympathy" with the golpista coup.

Today, the Colombian foreign ministry issued a communique denying what Flores said and that his remarks were merely his personal opinion. The foreign ministry said it was sticking to its position of supporting Arias' mediation efforts.

So, another slap in the face to the golpistas from even Uribe.

Looks like the golpistas are scraping the bottom of the barrel (Panama and Uribe) in their efforts to get even one shred of support.

[magbana]

8. thanks for the info, rabs. Now we have got to find out whether Pres. Martinelli and

Vice-Pres. Juan Carlos Varela are involved in telecoms and do they know Lanny Davis.