PANAMA

Panama Week at OAS
Filed October 20, 1998

PANAMA Week was held recently with an exhibition of paintings by Berta Polo. Opening the exhibition, the Panamanian ambassador to the OAS, Lawrence Chewnigh Fábrega, said the artist's works came to Washington "replete with nationalism as her art portrays the independence of my country and the soul of a people that loves what is beautiful, traditional and spiritual."

The OAS assistant secretary general, Ambassador Christopher R. Thomas, meanwhile, hailed the exhibit of Berta Polo's works, noting that "through her paintings and explosion of color, we see reflection of the taste and essence of this vibrant people full of happiness."

Berta Polo studied at the Panama's National School of Fine Arts, and then went on to pursue a master's degree at the Autonomous University of Mexico's San Carlos Academy, and then a doctorate at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France. Her works have been exhibited in France, Spain, United States, Colombia, Mexico and elsewhere in the Americas and Europe. She is currently on a 12 city US tour of museums, galleries and universities.

Port security course
Filed September 30, 1998

PORT officials from Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama were in Panama City from September 21 through 25 attending the First Subregional Course on Port Security, organized by the Permanent Technical Committee on Ports and the US Maritime Administration.

The course provided participants a chance to study issues related to the maritime industry and its security, port entry and exit control, measures to prevent cargo theft and drug trafficking, and personnel training, among others.

Other similar seminars are to follow in Lima, Peru, for South American countries, and in Bermuda, for the English-speaking Caribbean.

The objective is to strengthen the concept of security as an integral component of operating a port where budget is not always consistent with the increasing risks and dangers facing the port industry. The course was conducted as part of the objectives of the OAS Inter-American Port and Harbor Conference.

OAS observers for referendum
Filed September 02, 1998

THE secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), César Gaviria, signed an agreement for an observation mission to be despatched to Panama for that country's referendum on August 30. The agreement was also signed by Panama's ambassador to the OAS, Lawrence Chewning Fábrega, at the Organization's headquarters.

The 15 member international observation mission is to be headed by Santiago Murray, a specialist in the OAS' Unit for the Promotion of Democracy, and the observers begin arriving in the Panamanian capital this week, to be deployed across the country.

In the referendum which was called by the government, Panamanians will decide on several constitutional reforms passed by the Legislative Assembly, among them whether to allow a president to run for re-election; budgetary autonomy for the Electoral Tribunal; and whether to repeal constitutional provisions under which members of parliament can be dismissed.

Signing the agreement, Ambassador Chewning Fábrega stated that the OAS presence is necessary to provide greater support to the process and the final results of the referendum. "I am optimistic the process will be clean and honest and this I feel will be ensured by OAS support," said the Panamanian diplomat.

Last June, the Panamanian Electoral Tribunal asked the OAS to send an observation mission. The mission is to be financed through external funds secured from the government of the United States. So far the mission chief has set up appointments with the country's foreign minister, electoral authorities, political party representatives, and the Justice and Peace Commission, among others.

Election monitoring team
Filed July 17, 1998

PANAMA's ambassador to the OAS, Lawrence Chewning Fábrega, asked the OAS to send an electoral observation mission for the referendum set to take place August 30 in that country. Putting the request to the Permanent Council, the Panamanian diplomat said the referendum was being called to approve constitutional amendments that would make it possible for presidents to be re-elected. "To that end and so as to certify the transparency with which the government wishes to conduct the consultation with the people, on instructions from my country's Electoral Tribunal and the foreign ministry I have asked for as OAS election monitoring mission, through the United for the Promotion of Democracy (UPD)," declared Ambassador Chewning. Panama's Legislative Assemble has already passed the constitutional amendments in question, which must now be put to public opinion in Panama to enter into force.

copyright© CCI 1997