MONTHLY REPORT -- PANAMA BUREAU -- MAY 1986

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
K
Document Page Count: 
14
Document Creation Date: 
December 22, 2016
Document Release Date: 
May 22, 2012
Sequence Number: 
8
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
June 5, 1986
Content Type: 
MEMO
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1.pdf479.83 KB
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE PANAMA BUREAU DRAWER 927 APO MIAMI 34004 5 June 1986 MPA-6014 MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Foreign Broadcast Information Service THROUGH : Chief, Operations Group SUBJECT : Monthly Report -- Panama Bureau - May 1986 Panama Bureau hosted three distinguished BBC visitors in May. Mr. Eric Bowman, general manager of the BBC Monitoring Service; Mr. Godfrey Offord, head of the BBC Reception Department on the Monitoring Side; and Mr. Henry Pavlovich, editor of the BBC News and Publications Side visited Panama while returning to London from the annual FBIS-BBC coordination meeting held in Washington, D.C. During their 2-day visit, the three guests toured the bureau and received briefings on all aspects of,current operations. The bureau's Central American remote operation and ROSET satellite coverage received special attention. Sightseeing tours to Old Panama, the Panama Canal, and historic spots around Panama City were on the agenda as was dining on Panama's renowned seafood in some area retaurants. The visit concluded with a small dinner party hosted by the acting chief and Through the good offices of the Honorable Arthur H. Davis, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to Panama, the bureau submitted two requests for frequency allocation to the Panamanian Government: -On 2 May the embassy received the bureau application for frequency allocation for our INTERNET send and receive satellite communications system; On 16 May the embassy presented a formal diplomatic note accompanying the application to the Panamanian Foreign Ministry. -On 21 May the embassy received the bureau application for frequency allocation for our planned Motorola microwave communications system; On 30 May the embassy presented a formal diplomatic note accompanying the application to the Panamanian Foreign Ministry. To prepare for construction and installation of the bureau's INTERNET facility, nine construction projects were begun during the month. At month's end, all local preparations were completed and the bureau was awaiting the arrival of a contractor who would begin actual site preparation and construction. STAT Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 A. Editorial/Monitorial Peace negotiations in Central America, and the inauguration of one Latin American president and the election of two others headlined the news in Panama Bureau's coverage area in May. In Costa Rica, President-elect Oscar Arias assumed the presidency in a 2-hour and 47-minute ceremony that the bureau covered live from San Jose Radio Reloj. In his inaugural address, Oscar Arias reiterated Costa Rica's "commitment to defend and strengthen peace and neutrality." Arias also underscored his country's support for the Contradora group, confirming his readiness to sign a Central American peace document on 6 June in Panama City. On May 10 the bureau began to monitor news agency reports indicating that several ARDE leaders had withdrawn their support for Eden Pastora, and were preparing to join another contra group. In the following days, additional reports emerged alleging that Pastora was about to lay down his arms for the last time; he surrendered formally to Costa Rican authorities at the Nicaraguan border on 16 May. In a brief news conference given on the same day, and reported by the ACAN news agency, Pastora said that he was withdrawing "from the armed struggle because we believe there is no possibility of achieving a military victory." In the Dominican Republic, the presidential elections began on 16 May. The election developed as a race between Jacobo Majluta, the candidate of the ruling Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), and Joaquin Balaguer, of the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC). Although no major incidents of violence were reported during the elections, the vote count was marred by accusations of fraud and the resignation of important officials of the Central Electoral Board. The final results were not confirmed until 27 May, when Balaguer announced his victory and Majluta conceded defeat. The 2-day summit of the Central American presidents began in Esquipulas, Guatemala, on 24 May. Organized by Guatemalan President Vinicio Cerezo, the summit was attended, in addition to Cerezo, by the presidents of El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Tension flared during the summit between Costa Rica's Oscar Arias and Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega over Arias' refusal to sign the final summit communique unless wording to the effect that all the participating heads of state had been freely elected was changed. In the final document that was signed, and which Cerezo read over Guatemala radio on 25 May, the five presidents agreed to continue the Contadora process, formally create a Central American parliament, and advance "processes for the economic and social integration of the area." Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Efforts continued during the month to bring to a successful conclusion the Contadora group's efforts in Central America. Meetings were held between representatives of the Central American countries with their Contadora counterparts on 16-18 May, and again on 27-28 May, in an effort to resolve the remaining part of the agreement dealing with military issues. Several new proposals were presented. A plan announced by Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega on 26 May outlined 14 military matters that Managua would be willing to regulate or negotiate. Little or no progress in the negotiations was made, however, and the most recent Contadora session ended without concrete results. In Colombia on 25 May, Liberal Party candidate Virgilio Barco easily defeated his closest challenger, Conservative Party candidate Alvaro Gomez in the presidential elections. Panama Bureau filed several reports from Bogota Television Service providing preliminary election results as well as Barco's declaration of victory speech on the night of 25 May On 31 May the bureau monitored French Overseas Television broadcasting an Ariane rocket launch from Kourou, French Guiana. The rocket's third stage failed to ignite and the rocket and its onboard satellites were destroyed some 200 kilometers into the flight. A VSL was filed and a videorecording of the event was sent to headquarters. B. Communications On 21 May, USAISC Panama officially requested that FBIS Panama rehome its AUTODIN Mode V circuit B-024 on a "tone-pack" to Fort Detrick. FBIS Headquarters began the telecommunications service request on the bureau's behalf and proposed a switchover date of 7 July. Also in May, headquarters advised that approval and funding was received for a second microwave channel to connect the bureau at Chiva Chiva with the American Embassy in Panama City via a repeater station on Ancon Hill. The bureau would use this system as its primary communications link. The American Embassy was asked to present the frequency allocation application to the Panamanian Foreign Ministry. The application was delivered to the Panamanian Government on 30 May. The Panamanian communications office INTEL was advised of the bureau's plans to realign its major communications circuits via the embassy. INTEL officials were very helpful and no significant problems with a switchover are foreseen. C. Lateral Services At the request of the U.S. Southern Command in Panama, in May the bureau began providing SOUTHCOM Treaty Affairs Office with a videotape of the 1 and 1/2 hour Sunday morning program "Everything for the Fatherland" monitoired from Panamanian television. Air Force Colonel Pat Corbett, the deputy chief of staff for Treaty Affairs, expressed his gratitude for the special services provided by FBIS. It was mentioned that FBIS headquarters had inquired about our obtaining some aerial photography of the Panama Bureau facility and ROSET antennas. Col. Corbett arranged for a helicopter flyover and photographs of the FBIS operations area in late Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 May. We expect to receive the prints and negatives in early June. The photos and the negatives will be pouched to the Chief, FED upon receipt. On 29 May, the bureau provided Colonel Paul Morgan, G-2 of the 193rd Infantry Brigade, with English and Spanish language versions of the Nicaraguan and FSLN anthems. Col. Morgan said the request was for a speech being prepared for Major General James Taylor, commanding general 193rd Infantry Brigade. D. Technical During the month, the following accountable property was received: One five-channel teletype timer, S.T. Research Model TTP-5 5060 HZ Serial No. 86001. Unit Price: $4,950.00 A. Personnel from FBN-12/4 to 12/ N-6/1 to 6/2; g employees received PSI's during Mayo from FBN-5/1 to 5/2; from FBN-3/1 to 3/2. At a ceremony on 30 May federal service pins were awarded to the following bureau employees: 25 Years 20 Years 20 Years 10 Years Senior Editor departed Panama 12 May en route to home leave and reassignment as deputy bureau chief in Amman, Jordan. Editorial trainee 3-month TDY. departed Panama on 9 May after a B. Building and Grounds During May, bureau contractors completed the following projects: Cedeno and Choy-removed and relocated underground utilities in the area where the INTERNET antenna pad will be sited; constructed a new door in the bureau chief's office; and removed the double chain-link security fence from along the entire east side of the operations building. Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 constructed a 300-foot drainage ditch conduit of concrete in the ROSET/INTERNET antenna field; and resodded approximately 2000 meters of the ROSET/INTERNET antenna field. Chief, FSB/FED, visited from 5 to 8 May to examine and site Panama Bureau's future INTERNET facility. From 9 to 12 May the bureau was visited by BBC officials returning to London from the annual FBIS-BBC Coordination Meeting that was held in Washington, D.C. The BBC officials were: Mr. Eric Bowman, general manager of the BBC Monitoring Service; Mr. Godfrey Offord, head of the BBC Reception Department on the Monitoring Side; and Mr. Henry Pavlovich, editor of the BBC News and Publications Side. On 9 May four members of the Linguist Team of the 142d MI (LING) Battalion, of the Utah National Guard, were briefed on bureau operations. This visit was one of the continuing series of briefings offered by the bureau to various National Guard units at the special request of the G-2 at the 193d Infantry Brigade on Fort Clayton. Attachment: Production Report Acting Chief, Panama Bureau STAT STAT STAT Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Panama Bureau Production Report for May 1986 TOTAL PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTHi 517700 TOTAL NON-PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTHt 20000 TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLISHABLE ITEMS FILED DURING MONTHs 1354 BROAD- PRESS PUBLI- CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS Ii. INPUT OF REGULAR COVERAGE t 11715.00 90870.00 212.00 (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 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 1410 Bogota Domestic Service in Spanish 0 Bogota Emisoras Caracol Network in Spanish 3130 Bogota Television Service in Spanish 7000 Bogota REUTER in Spanish Bogota REUTER in English Bogota EL SIGLO in Spanish Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Bogota EL TIEMPO in Spanish COSTA RICA San Jose Radio Impacto in Spanish San Jose Radio Reloj in Spanish San Jose LA NACION in Spanish San Jose LA PRENSA LIBRE in Spanish San Jose LA REPUBLICA in Spanish San Jose LIBERTAD REVOLUCIONARIA in Spanish San Jose LIBERTAD in Spanish San Jose RUMBO CENTROAMERICANO in Spanish 5590 4900 2940 CUBA Havana International Service in Quechua 390 Havana International Service in Spanish 57800 Havana Radio Rebelde Network in Spanish 1840 Havana EFE in Spanish 630 Havana PRENSA LATINA in English 4910 Havana PRENSA LATINA in Spanish 7970 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 Dace Television in Spanish BROAD- PRESS PUBLI- CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 BROAD- PRESS CASTS AGENCIES PUBLI- CATIONS San Salvador Spanish Channel 2 Television in 670 San Salvador Spanish Domestic Service in 0 San Salvador Spanish La Vez Panamericana in 1320 San Salvador Spanish Radio Cadena Sonora in 1210 San Salvador Spanish Radio Cadena YSKL in 7190 San Salvador Spanish Radio Cadena YSU in 6070 San Salvador Spanish Television Educativa in 5720 San San San Salvador Spanish Salvador Spanish Salvador Spanish DIARIO LATINO in EL DIARIO DE HOY in EL MUNDO in 260 San Salvador Spanish EL TIEMPO in 0 San Salvador Spanish LA PRENSA GRAFICA in 1130 San Salvador Spanish PROCESO in 0 San Salvador English THE NEWS GAZETTE in FRANCE Paris AFP in English Paris AFP in Spanish GERMANY Hamburg DPA in Spanish GUATEMALA Guatemala City Cadena de Emisoras Unidas in Spanish 8710 Guatemala City Domestic Service in Spanish 4110 Guatemala City Radio Nuevo Mundo in Spanish 130 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 BROAD- PRESS PUBLI- CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS Guatemala City Radio Television Guatemala in Spanish 3420 Guatemala City Super Radio in Spanish 90 Guatemala City TELEONCE Television in Spanish 0 Guatemala City EL GRAFICO in Spanish Guatemala City PRENSA LIBRE in Spanish HONDURAS Tegucigalpa Spanish Cadena Audio Video in 10010 Tegucigalpa Spanish Domestic Service in 1320 Tegucigalpa Spanish Radio America in 1700 Tegucigalpa Spanish Televisora Hondurans in 2430 Tegucigalpa Spanish Voz de Honduras Network in 4780 San Pedro Sula LA PRENSA in Spanish 1130 San Pedro Sula Spanish TIEMPO in 1830 Tegucigalpa EL Spanish HERALDO in 610 Tegucigalpa LA TRIBUNA in Spanish MEXICO Mexico City XEW Television Network in Spanish Mexico City XHDF Television Network in Spanish Mexico City CERIGUA in Spanish Mexico City ENFOPRENSA in Spanish Mexico City REUTER in English Mexico City REUTER in Spanish Mexico City EL DIA in Spanish 1330 200 1430 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 BROAD- PRESS PUBLI- CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS Mexico City EL NACIONAL in Spanish 560 Mexico City EL UNIVERSAL in Spanish 1810 Mexico City EXCELSIOR in Spanish 21730 Mexico City THE NEWS in English 2220 Mexico City UNOMASUNO in Spanish 1870 NICARAGUA Managua International Service in Spanish 9410 Managua Domestic Service in Spanish 15000 Managua Radio Noticias in Spanish 1540 Managua Radio Sandino in Spanish 1980 Managua Sistema Sandinista Television Network in Spanish 4230 Managua ANN Diplomatic Information Service in Spanish 1630 Managua ANN Spanish in 14040 Managua PRENSA LATINA in Spanish 3870 Managua SALPRESS-NOTISAL in Spanish 280 Managua BARRICADA in Spanish 15570 Managua EL NUEVO DIARIO in Spanish 5540 Managua LA PRENSA in Spanish 1790 PANAMA Panama City Circuito RPC Television in Spanish 2100 Panama City Domestic Service in Spanish 4210 Panama City Television Service in Spanish 0 Panama City Televisora Nacional in Spanish 8200 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Panama City ACAN in Spanish Panama City CRITICA in Spanish Panama City DIALOGO SOCIAL in Spanish Panama City EL SIGLO in Spanish Panama City EXTRA in Spanish Panama City LA ESTRELLA DE PANAMA in Spanish Panama City LA PRENSA in Spanish Panama City LA REPUBLICA DOMINICAL.in Spanish Panama City LA REPUBLICA in Spanish Panama City MATUTINO in Spanish Panama City OUIUBO 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 TABS in Spanish VENEZUELA Caracas Television Service in Spanish BROAD- PRESS PUBLI- CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS 2070 0 3100 1970 9100 18290 3590 1790 1730 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 BROAD- PRESS PUBLI- CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS Caracas REUTER in English Caracas EL NACIONAL in Spanish Caracas EL UNIVERSAL in Spanish Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 PANAMA BUREAU PRODUCTION REPORT FOR MAY 1986 -- ANNEX TOTALS FROM ROSET SOURCES: ARGENTINA Buenos Aires REUTER in English Buenos Aires REUTER in Spanish COLOMBIA Bogota Television Service in Spanish Bogota REUTER in English 7,000 1,280 CUBA Havana PRENSA LATINA in Spanish 7,970 Havana EFE in Spanish ECUADOR Quito REUTER in Spanish GERMANY Hamburg DPA in Spanish MEXICO Mexico City XEW Television Network in Spanish 2,100 Mexico City XHDF Television Network in Spanish 11,810 Mexico City CERIGUA in Spanish 1,330 Mexico City ENFOPRENSA in Spanish 200 Mexico City REUTER in English 1,430 NICARAGUA Managua ANN Diplomatic Information Service in Spanish 1,630 Managua ANN in Spanish 14,040 Managua PRENSA LATINA in Spanish 3,870 Managua SALPRESS-NOTISAL in Spanish 280 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1 PERU Lima REUTER in English Lima REUTER in Spanish SPAIN Madrid EFE in Spanish USSR Moscow TASS in Spanish 1,020 VENEZUELA Caracas Television Service in Spanish 5,300 Caracas REUTER in English 2,150 TOTAL FOR MAY 1986 65,030 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120008-1