Replies

Thank you for posting the article, but it turns out the information is false. Not your fault:

Panama-Guide.com

Whoops - No US Bases Afterall, Apparently

Monday, September 28 2009 @ 11:50 AM EDT

Contributed by: Don Winner

By Carlos Estrada Aguilar for La Critica -

Panama’s Vice President Juan Carlos Varela denied rumors about the supposed installation of U.S. naval bases in Panama. According to Varela, the government of Panama is coordinating to strengthen a “line of protection” to combat drug trafficking along Panama’s Pacific coast from the Bahia Piña in the Darien, to Punta Coco in the Pearl Islands with a task force that is 100% Panamanian.

The announcement of this “line of protection” which will be signed on 30 October 2009, was negotiated by the Minister of Government and Justice Jose Raul Mulino who described the plan as an “agreement of international cooperation” to establish bases in the sectors. However Varela denied that the U.S. armed forces are involved. The Chancellor stressed that the strengthening of security in the Pacific Ocean will be a accomplished using members of the Panamanian public forces and from the Border and Naval Air Services. He said the government’s goal is to minimize the entry of speedboats carrying drugs that currently move along the beaches of the Pacific. Varela described as a “great achievement” the trips of President Ricardo Martinelli and his discussions with the Emir of Qatar to assess the issue of a refinery and establish embassies on a reciprocal basis bringing together the two nations in trade.

He also highlighted the meeting between President Martinelli and U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton to coordinate regional efforts in the fight against drugs. In New York - Varela Chancellor defended the government travel schedule, noting that unlike the travel of the previous government, the president plans to travel Martinelli targeted to benefit the country.

Editor’s Comment: How do you blow that? I mean - every major news wire ran with the “US bases in Panama” story. Of course, Mulino said what he said, but what, he didn’t understand the meaning of what he said? The bases are supposed to be secret? He misspoke? I mean, what the hell? Oh well, the bases would have been a good thing. Too bad.