MONTHLY REPORT - PANAMA BUREAU - SEPTEMBER 1986

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 22, 2012
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: October 3, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE
PANAMA BUREAU
DRAWER 927
APO MIAMI 34004
3 October 1986
MPA 6020
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, FBIS
THROUGH : Chief, Operations Group
SUBJECT : Monthly Report -Panama Bureau- September 1986
A. On 9 September the Panamanian Foreign Ministry delivered a note
to the U.S. Embassy refusing the bureau's request for a frequency that
will allow a microwave communications link to be established between the
embassy and the bureau. We are currently attempting to find out the
reasons for the refusal of what appeared to be a simple request. The
ambassador took the matter up with President Delvalle on 19 September and
the president promised to look into the matter and inform the ambassador
of his findings. We had heard nothing further by month's end.
B. There is still no word on the Internet frequency request. Last
unofficial word in August noted that this request had been sent to the
joint military committee for review. We plan to pursue this request more
actively pending resolution of our microwave frequency request.
C. Meanwhile, the Internet equipment hut located next to the
13-meter Internet dish has been placed on its foundation, and STS Sytems,
Inc. was completing electronic installation at month's end.
II. OPERATIONS
A. Satellite monitoring played a major role in bureau operations
during the month.
First, Mexican President Miguel de la Madrid delivered a 3-hour
and 47-minute state of the nation address that the bureau monitored live
via ROSET from Mexican television. On 2 September, Mexican television
carried a "flash" bulletin -- later proven to be false - that Paraguayan
President Stroessner had died.
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
During the Nonaligned Conference in early September, the bureau
observed numerous television feeds from Harare. On 4 September, for
example, the bureau recorded nearly 8 hours of continuous feeds in various
languages that showed world leaders' activities and speeches at the
summit. Several cruising messages and FYI's were filed.
The bureau also intercepted feeds from German, French, and other
television systems on the Karachi airport hijacking. The seemingly random
scheduling of the feeds and lack of language capabilities at the bureau
sharply limited operational output from the bureau, although substantial
bureau resources were devoted to searching for and covering these feeds.
After Hong Kong Bureau's 7 September initial ZZ from AFP on the
attempted assassination of Chilean President Pinochet, the bureau filed
several Chilean TV reports monitored via ROSET on the incident, including
an interview with Pinochet himself following the attack.
With the beginning of the UN General Assembly session on 22
September, the bureau began checking three and occasionally more
satellites for relays of speeches from New York United Nations
Television. We found that few speeches were carried live, at least on the
satellites we were watching, and many were in languages the bureau cannot
translate.
Overall, although the bureau's satellite monitoring efforts
throughout the month did not result in substantial wordage, it provided
the bureau with valuable cruising and operation experience in the
relatively new area of satellite television monitoring.
The bureau's coverage of Central American press was simplified on
11 September following the installation of Nefax machines in Tegucigalpa,
Guatemala City, and San Salvador by the bureau's chief technician.
Monitors no longer have to rely on bureau contractors in those cities to
read newspaper items over telephones.
The on-again, off-again talks between Salvadoran Government and
rebel leaders held in Panama as well as the major players' statements and
counterstatements occasioned extra coverage of both Salvadoran and
Panamanian media during the week of 12 - 19 September.
B. Communications
The chief of the bureau's communications section has begun a
training program for all operators on the IBM personal computer. The
training course includes familiarization with all aspects of the IBM PC
but concentrates on Bach and Sidekick.
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
C. Lateral Services
1. With the arrival of our repaired IBM PC/XT. the bureau
entered the Bach era. IBM system administrator has entered
all bureau packages and local services into the Bach data ase. LSL
maintenance has thus become much easier.
2. At the request of the Southern Command's Office of Treaty
Afairs, the bureau edited several tapes of a weekly Panamanian Defense
Forces television program, compiling requested portions of six programs on
one tape.
3. At the request of the 193d Brigade's G-2, the bureau provided
a tape of the music and words to the FSLN national anthem. The tape was
to be used in a briefing for visiting military dignitaries.
4. The bureau has handled numerous requests from the embassy for
Panamanian reaction to recent remarks by U.S. Senator Jesse Helms calling
for an investigation of the Panamanian military. To provide the best
coverage possible, the bureau has also placed several additional
Panamanian radios on temporary coverage.
D. Technical
From 1 to 9 September, Chief Technician traveled
to the bureau's remote sites in San Salvador, Guatemala City, and
Tegucigalpa to install Nefax facsimile equipment. Relay of Central
American press material via the bureau's dedicated remote lines in place
of commercial telephone calls will result in significant savings. On the
operational side, we expect increased accuracy, improved selection, and a
greater quantity of available material to be additional benefits. At
month's end, the equipment was working well.
III. ADMINISTRATION
A. Personnel
1. As summer comes to an end, the bureau would like to note that
three of its employees this summer marked their silver anniversary with
the bar Senior cruising monitor on 9 July, Journeyman
monitor on 6 August, and Chief Technician
on 5 September.
2. Editor trainee) )arrived on 29 September to
begin his 12-week field training period.
17
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
B. Building and Grounds
1. The Army's Department of Engineering and Housing (DEH)
connected the new 50-ton chiller unit to the bureau for a 4-hour test
period. The test was successful, but some minor work still needs to be
done. The bureau has given DEH a 1 October deadline so this project,
which began in 1980, can finally be completed.
2. Contractor Cedeno & Choy has begun installation of a new
suspended ceiling and new lighting fixtures in the halls. Estimated
completion date is 6 October.
3. The 39,000-pound Internet equipment hut was installed by HTH
Construction on 26 September. At month's end, Satellite Transmission
Systems contractors were putting the finishing touches on the grounds
surrounding the hut and 13-meter antenna and completing electronic
installation. With the equipment hut's installation, the construction of
the new Internet-related equipment will be completed.
IV. VISITS
To the bureau:
Chief /MOD
and C/ICC
22 - 26 September.
STAT
Chief/HED/ESG
29 September - 2 October.
and HED managers
Colonel Joseph L.A. Fournier and Major Mark Michaelis of the 193d
Brigade's Provost Marshal's office on 26 September.
On 26 September all available bureau staffers attended a "Hail and
Farewell" cocktail reception at Ambassador Davis's residence. The
ambassador apparently was impressed by the FBIS turnout. On two separate
occasions following the reception, the ambassador mentioned that he was
quite pleased at the FBIS participation and was happy to see FBIS becoming
involved in embassy activities.
STAT
STAT
Attachment
Production Report
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
Panama Bureau Production Report for September 1986
I. TOTALS FROM ALL SOURCES:
TOTAL PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH: 438720
TOTAL NON-PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH: 23240
TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLISHABLE ITEMS FILED DURING MONTH: 935
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
II. INPUT OF REGULAR COVERAGE: 11775.00 90870.00 202.00
(minutes or issues per week) min. min. issues
III. OUTPUT FROM ALL SOURCES:
(publishable words per month)
ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires REUTER in
Spanish
Buenos Aires REUTER in
English
CHILE
Santiago Television Service in
Spanish-
Santiago REUTER.in
English
CLANDESTINES
Clandestine Radio Farabundo Marti in
Spanish to El Salvador
Clandestine Radio Venceremos in
Spanish to El Salvador
COLOMBIA
Bogota Cadena Radial Super in
Spanish 2540
Bogota Domestic Service in
Spanish 0
Bogota Emisoras Caracol Network in
Spanish 3340
Bogota Television Service in
Spanish 11350
Bogota REUTER in
Spanish
Bogota REUTER in
English
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
Bogota EL SIGLO in
Spanish
Bogota EL TIEMPO in
Spanish
COSTA RICA
San Jose Radio Reloj in
Spanish 14240
San Jose LA NACION in
Spanish 2160
San Jose LA PRENSA LIBRE in
Spanish 3080
San Jose LA REPUBLICA in
Spanish 1690
San Jose LIBERACION in
Spanish 180
San Jose LIBERTAD REVOLUCIONARIA in
Spanish 0
San Jose LIBERTAD in
Spanish 930
San Jose NICARAGUA HOY in
Spanish 770
San Jose RUMBO in
Spanish 5720
CUBA
Havana International Service in
Quechua 270
Havana International Service in
Spanish 46330
Havana Domestic Service in
Spanish 10590
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
English
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
ECUADOR
Quito Radio Quito in
Spanish
Quito Voz de los Andes in
Spanish
Quito REUTER in
Spanish
Quito REUTER in
English
EL SALVADOR
San Salvador Canal Doce Television in
Spanish
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22: CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
BROAD- PRESS
PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES
CATIONS
San
Salvador Channel 2 Television in
Spanish
160
San
Salvador Domestic Service in
Spanish
17280
San
Salvador La Voz Panamericana in
Spanish
1630
San
Salvador Radio Cadena Sonora in
Spanish
5140
San
Salvador Radio Cadena YSKL in
Spanish
16180
San
Salvador Radio Cadena YSU in
Spanish
8710
San
Salvador Television Educativa in
Spanish
1150
San
San
Salvador DIARIO LATINO in
Spanish
Salvador EL DIARIO DE HOY in
Spanish
0
San
Salvador EL MUNDO in
Spanish
3660
San
Salvador LA PRENSA GRAFICA in
Spanish
600
FRANCE
Paris AFP in
English
Paris AFP in
Spanish
GERMANY
Hamburg DPA in
Spanish
GUATEMALA
Guatemala City Cadena de Emisoras
Unidas in
Spanish
Guatemala City Radio Nuevo Mundo
Network in
Spanish
Guatemala City Radio Television
Guatemala in
Spanish
Guatemala City EL GRAFICO in
Spanish
Guatemala City PRENSA LIBRE in
Spanish
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
HONDURAS
Tegucigalpa Cadena Audio Video in
Spanish 7350
Tegucigalpa Domestic Service in
Spanish 1350
Tegucigalpa Radio America in
Spanish 750
Tegucigalpa Televisora Hondurena in
Spanish 220
Tegucigalpa Voz de Honduras Network in
Spanish 4660
San Pedro Sula LA PRENSA in
Spanish
San Pedro Sula TIEMPO in
Spanish
Tegucigalpa EL HERALDO in
Spanish
Tegucigalpa LA TRIBUNA in
Spanish
MEXICO
Mexico City Red Nacional 13 IMEVISION
Television in.
Spanish
Mexico City XEW Television Network in
Spanish
Mexico City CERIGUA in
Spanish
Mexico City ENFOPRENSA in
Spanish
Mexico City REUTER in
English
Mexico City EL DIA in
Spanish
Mexico City EL NACIONAL in
Spanish
Mexico City EL UNIVERSAL in
Spanish
Mexico City EXCELSIOR in
Spanish
Mexico City THE NEWS in
English
Mexico City UNOMASUNO in
Spanish
NICARAGUA
Managua International Service in
Spanish
1030
1550
1700
1220
420
1390
1980
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
Managua Domestic Service in
Spanish 9400
Managua Radio Noticias in
Spanish 1140
Managua Radio Sandino in
Spanish 24030
Managua Sistema Sandinista Television
Network in
Spanish 3030
Managua Television Feed in
Spanish 1310
Managua ANN Diplomatic Information
Service in
Spanish 187.0
Managua ANN in
Spanish 7650
Managua PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish 1790
Managua SALPRESS-NOTISAL in
Spanish 210
Managua BARRICADA in
Spanish
Managua EL NUEVO DIARIO in
Spanish
PANAMA
Panama City Circuito RPC
Television in
Spanish 4440
Panama City Domestic Service in
Spanish 14390
Panama City Television Service in
Spanish 910
Panama City Televisora Nacional in
Spanish 2640
Panama City ACAN in
Spanish 14320
Panama City CRITICA in
Spanish 670
Panama City DIALOGO SOCIAL in
Spanish 0
Panama City EL SIGLO in
Spanish 550
Panama City EXTRA in
Spanish 1300
Panama City LA ESTRELLA DE PANAMA in
Spanish 2090
Panama City LA PRENSA in
Spanish 4350
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
Panama City LA REPUBLICA DOMINICAL in
Spanish
Panama City LA REPUBLICA in
Spanish
Panama City MATUTINO in
Spanish
Panama City QUIUBO GRAFICO in
Spanish
Panama City STAR AND HERALD in
English
Panama City THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC in
English
PERU
Lima Panamericana Television
Network in
Spanish
Lima Television Peruana in
Spanish
Lima REUTER in
English
Lima REUTER in
Spanish
SPAIN
Madrid EFE in
Spanish
USSR
Moscow TASS in
Spanish
VENEZUELA
Caracas Television Service in
Spanish
Caracas REUTER in
English
Caracas EL NACIONAL in
Spanish
Caracas EL UNIVERSAL in
Spanish
0
2380
2410
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5
PANAMA BUREAU PRODUCTION REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 1986 -- ANNEX
TOTALS FROM ROSET SOURCES:
CHILE
Santiago Television Service in
Spanish
3,760
COLOMBIA
Bogota Television Service in
Spanish 10,590
Bogota REUTER in
English 270
Bogota REUTER in
Spanish 220
CUBA
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
5,920
MEXICO
Mexico City XEW Television Network in
Spanish 35,150
Mexico City Red Nacional 13 IMEVISION Television in
Spanish 5,520
Mexico City CERIGUA in
Spanish 700
Mexico City ENFOPRENSA in
Spanish ,
NICARAGUA
Managua Television Feed in
Spanish 1,310
Managua ANN Diplomatic Information Service in
Spanish 1,870
Managua ANN in
Spanish 7,650
Managua PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish 1,790
Managua SALPRESS-NOTISAL in
Spanish
SPAIN
Madrid EFE in
Spanish
VENEZUELA
Caracas Television Service in
Spanish
Caracas REUTER in
English
1,420
4,770
TOTAL FOR SEPTEMBER 1986 81,580
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120004-5