MONTHLY REPORT -- PANAMA BUREAU -- MARCH 1986

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 22, 2012
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: April 4, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE
PANAMA BUREAU
DRAWER 927
APO MIAMI 34004
4 April 1986
MPA-6011
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Foreign Broadcast Information Service
THROUGH : Acting Chief, Operations Group
SUBJECT : Monthly Report - Panama Bureau -- March 1986
Deputy Bureau Chiefl and chief technician
performed the semi-annual inspection tour of the Central
American remote sites in San Salvador, Tegucigalpa, Guatemala City, and
Managua. Meetings were held with local embassy officers in the respective
capitals to discuss the support necessary for and provided by the local
FBIS presence, and with the local FBIS contractors to brief them on
current operational and technical requirements. Highlights of the trip
included arranging a sampling of videotaped television news programming to
be provided by the contractors in San Salvador, Guatemala, and Managua;
hiring a new contractor in Tegucigalpa; relocating the FBIS contractor's
room in Guatemala City to the ground floor of the chancellery; and
installing a NEFAX machine in Managua for use by the press contractor.
Work on the three new 9.2-meter diameter limited-motion ROSET
antennas, including acceptance testing, was completed during the month.
Two problems were uncovered that the contractor has agreed to correct.
First, the antenna control cables for the three dishes, while usuable for
the time being, were found to have an inordinate number of unusable pairs
and will have to be replaced. Second, the antennas' advertised range of
? 55 degrees was found to be inaccurate by some 6-8 degrees. This will
not affect the operation of two of the antennas but the antenna oriented
toward the western limits of our viewing range will have to be modified to
give us the full range of motion we require. Despite these problems, the
new antennas are expected to become operational in early April.
On the bureau's 13-meter diameter full-motion ROSET antennas the
azimuth and elevation motors were modified by contractors to provide
closed loop cooling. Also, the sub-reflector of one of the 13-meter
ROSET's was replaced under the warranty. The original sub-reflector
developed a large hole in its center probably as a result of corrosion and
a flaw in the casting.
STAT
STAT
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
During March, the bureau continued wirefiling to headquarters the
SATRAPPED service of TASS in Romanized Russian (Managua TASS in Russian to
TASS Moscow) monitored via ROSET. At month's end headquarters
discontinued the experiment, which may be resumed when INTERNET becomes
operational.
A. Monitorial/Editorial
During the month of March, Panama bureau was involved in covering
several fast-breaking situations. On 7 March Ecuadoran Air Force
Commander Lieutenant General Frank Vargas flew to his home province of
Manta and took control of the Manta Air Base, following a personal dispute
with the Defense Minister Luis Pineiro and Army Chief General Manuel
Albuja. Closely following the reported rebellion, the bureau institued an
open watch on several Ecuadoran radio stations filing numerous reports on
the situation from these sources and monitored press agency reports until
Vargas peacefully surrendered on the evening of 11 March. Two days later
however, on 13 March, Vargas took control of Quito's Sucre Air Force Base
where he had been confined by Ecuadoran President Frebes Cordero pending
trial. The Ecuadoran Government responded to this second action by Vargas
with a declaration of a state of emergency, to which the bureau responded
with a midnight shift for the night of 13 March to maintain an open watch
on Ecuadoran radios. Vargas was captured by the government on 14 March,
following a brief clash at the Sucre Air Base. Vargas' trial is still
pending.
In Colombia, 9 March marked the country's parliamentary
elections. Filed Colombian media reports and those from press agencies
confirmed the peaceful nature and outcome of the elections: a victory by
the Liberal Party.
On 10 March, a nationwide strike in Panama called by the nation's
largest union, CONATO, was initiated. The strike, which began slowly but
rapidly spread to many businesses and industries including the oil
industry, was called to demonstrate opposition to the bills before the
Panamanian Legislative Assembly to amend the labor code and current
industrial and agricultural measures. The bills were a response to a call
for reforms by the IMF. Sporadic violence was reported during the strike
yet on 16 March, CONATO formally ended the strike, which had rapidly lost
momentum following the passage of the labor bill. Subsequently, the
industrial and agricultural bills were also approved by the assembly and
signed into law by Panamanian President Eric Arturo Delvalle on 20 March.
In response to a request from the Wire Service on 12 March the
bureau filed several monitored Chilean reports at immediate precedence in
reaction to a U.S. call for international condemnation of Chile for human
rights violations. The wirefiling of these reports from Santiago
television and radio via ROSET marked the bureau's first use of ROSET to
cover Chilean media. Paraguay and Panama Bureaus were jointly commended
by the Chief, Wire Services, for their efforts in quickly responding to
this request with the use of the ROSET in meeting Wire needs cited as
"especially noteworthy."
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
Interest in Nicaragua increased during the month with the efforts
by the Reagan administration to secure congressional approval of $100
million in aid for the contras. Nicaraguan reaction to these efforts
began on 17 March in response to a 16 March address by President Reagan
seeking support for the contra aid and continued through the 20 March
House of Representatives vote against the aid request. On the evening of
20 March, news agencies began reporting an alleged Honduran troop buildup
along the Nicaraguan border. These reports, which were subsequently
denied by Honduran authorities, fueled increased border tension between
the two countries. Later, a Nicaraguan incursion into Honduras was
reported. The incursion reports, initially confirmed in Washington, were
the subject of a Honduran Security Council meeting on the night of 24
March. However, the results of the meeting and a firm Honduran
confirmation that an incursion had in fact, taken place were not reported
by Honduras until 25 March. In addition to open speaker watches on
Nicaraguan and Honduran media during this period, bureau efforts also
included extended hours on the night of 24 March and a full midnight shift
on 25 March. Although Managua was consistent in its denial of the border
incursion throughout the crisis, reports appearing on 27 March -- which
were given further substance by President Daniel Ortega in a live news
conference monitored by the bureau on 28 March -- indicated that
Nicaragua's interpretation of the border limit was a loose, if not unique,
one in international politics. By 28 March the border situation had begun
to stablize and by 31 March Honduras was reporting that it was again in
complete control of the area
On 20 March, a 2-hour-and-42-minute program on the failed launch of a
French Ariane rocket was videorecorded off the 24.5W INTELSAT and pouched
to headquarters. Coverage included shots of the launch control room and
VIP/press room at the European Space Agency facility in Kourou, French
Guiana, and closeups of the launch pad and the Ariane launch vehicle. On
28 March the bureau videorecorded and pouched to headquarters a
1-hour-and-51-minute program on the successful launch of a French Ariane
rocket. This rocket, which was also launched from Kourou, French Guiana,
deployed two onboard satellites. Telemetry signals from one of these
satellites, BRAILSAT SBTS A-2, has been located by bureau cruisers.
B. Communications
An Army team from Fort Richie, Maryland, arrived in Panama on 11
March to activate the MUX communications project which involves installing
Mode I equipment at the bureau. The army team led by Mr. Nelson Smith
visited the bureau off and on beginning 24 March but by month's end they
had not yet solved the significant problems they have encountered. In a
depressingly honest appraisal of the situation, a team member said the
bureau's Mode I circuit may never become operational in its current
configuration.
The Granger people submitted a bid for a planned bureau-Ancon
Hill-embassy microwave link and a Collins representative promised to
submit its bid in April.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
C. Lateral Services
In response to a request from the American Embassy in San
Salvador, El Salvador, on 9 March the bureau began monitoring and
wirefiling the Sunday homily usually given by San Salvador Archbishop
Monsignor Arturo River y Damas.
On 10 March Panama City LA PRENSA in Spanish carried the
transcript of the statements made by Ambassador-Designate to Panama Arthur
Davis before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. At the request of
the American Embassy in Panama City, Panama, the Spanish translation of
the transcript was filed to Headquarters, the embassy, and the State
Department.
At the request of the U. S. Southern Command in Panama, on 27
March the bureau began providing the Southern Command with a summary and
audio recording of the 1-and-1/2-hour Sunday "Everything for the
Fatherland" program monitored from Panamanian television.
D. Technical
locally:
During the month, the following accountable property was procured
One 17-inch Crown color TV, Model G1750, Serial No. KC50901200.
Unit Price: $235.00.
Two Simplex clocks, Model HA8G, Serial Nos, X45366 AG and X02491
GA. Unit Price: $640.00.
III. ADMINISTRATION
A. Personnel
Staff edit
Teletypist
4/2.
Spanish monitor
years of service.
Staff editor
10 March.
was promoted to GS-11.
received a PSI from FBN 4/1 to FBN
Deputy Chiefl and chief technician
conducted a semi-annual inspection tour of the entra American
On 6 March, two Headquarters security officers visited the bureau to
inspect the physical plant and to review security procedures.
ESG'sl and a contractor arrived on 17 March to install
interface equipment for the new ROSET antennas. They departed on 23
March.
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
ESG'sl (visited Panama 19-28 March for the acceptance
testing of the new ROSET's.
On 24 March, the following U.S. Southern Command personnel received
a briefing and tour of the bureau: Col. Pat H. Corbett, USAF, deputy
chief of staff for Treaty Affairs; Lt Col. D. L. Sponberg, USA, assistant
deputy chief of staff for Treaty Affairs; 2d Lt. Angel A. Rodriguez,
treaty plans officer; and Mrs. Julieta Morris, interpreter, SOUTHCOM
Treaty Affairs.
An Army team lead by Nelson Smith visited the bureau periodically
beginning 24 March to continue the installation and testing of the
bureau's upgraded 150-baud Mode I MUX communications circuit.
TDY editor) (completed his 3-month editorial TDY on 27
March and departed Panama on 28 March.
Acting hie , Panama Bureau
FBIS
Attachment
production report
STAT
STAT
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
A
Panama Bureau Production Report for March 1986
TOTAL PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH: 574880
TOTAL NON-PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH: 25310
TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLISHABLE ITEMS FILED DURING MONTH: 1508
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
II. INPUT OF REGULAR COVERAGE: 11045.00 42150.00 212.00
(minutes or issues per week) min. min. issues
III. OUTPUT FROM ALL SOURCES:
(publishable words per month)
ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires REUTER in
Spanish
CHILE
Santiago Radio Chilena Network in
Spanish
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 1630
Bogota Domestic Service in
Spanish 0
Bogota Emisoras Caracol Network in
Spanish 1250
Bogota Radio Sutatenza Network in
Spanish 3110
Bogota Television Service in
Spanish 9760
Bogota REUTER in
Spanish
Bogota EL SIGLO in
Spanish
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
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
CUBA
Havana International Service in
Quechua
Havana International Service in
Spanish
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
English
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
ECUADOR
Quito Domestic Service in
Spanish 6670
Quito Radio Quito in
Spanish 22580
Quito Voz de los Andes in
Spanish 5140
Quito REUTER in
Spanish
EL SALVADOR
San Salvador Canal Doce Television in
Spanish
San Salvador Channel 2 Television in
Spanish
1560
3290
3410
0
2480
500
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
BROAD- PRESS
CASTS AGENCIES
PUBLI-
CATIONS
San
Salvador
Spanish
Domestic Service in
0
San
Salvador
Spanish
La Voz Panamericana in
1720
San
Salvador
Spanish
Radio Cadena Libertad in
530
San
Salvador
Spanish
Radio Cadena Sonora in
1780
San
Salvador
Spanish
Radio Cadena YSKL in
5130
San
Salvador
Spanish
Radio Cadena YSU in
8170
San
Salvador
Spanish
Television Educativa in
2670
San
Salvador
Spanish
DIARIO LATINO in
550
San
Salvador
Spanish
EL DIARIO DE HOY in
990
San
Salvador
Spanish
EL MUNDO in
3500
San
Salvador
Spanish
EL TIEMPO in
0
San
Salvador
Spanish
LA PRENSA GRAFICA in
2800
San
San
Salvador
Spanish
Salvador
English
PROCESO in
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
4750
Guatemala City Domestic Service in
Spanish
4900
Guatemala City Radio Nuevo Mundo in
Spanish
220
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
Guatemala City Radio Television
Guatemala in
Spanish
Guatemala City EL GRAFICO in
Spanish
Guatemala City PRENSA LIBRE in
Spanish
HONDURAS
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
Cadena Audio Video in
11430
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
Domestic Service in
0
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
Radio America in
9000
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
Televisora Hondurena in
4110
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
Voz de Honduras Network in
13410
San Pedro Sula LA PRENSA in
Spanish
810
San Pedro Sula TIEMPO in
Spanish
3600
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
EL HERALDO in
2860
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
LA TRIBUNA in
1560
MEXICO
Mexico City XEW Television Network in
Spanish
Mexico City XHDF Television
Network in
Spanish
Mexico City CERIGUA 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
1580
1150
0
2750
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
Mexico City UNOMASUNO in
Spanish
NICARAGUA
Managua International Service in
Spanish 4640
Managua Domestic Service in
Spanish 9870
Managua Radio Noticias in
Spanish 610
Managua Radio Sandino in
Spanish 38010
Managua Sistema Sandinista Television
Network in
Spanish - 3580
Managua ANN in
Spanish
Managua PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
Managua BARRICADA in
Spanish
Managua EL NUEVO DIARIO in
Spanish
Managua LA PRENSA in
Spanish
PANAMA
Panama City Circuito RPC
Television in
Spanish 11140
Panama City Domestic Service in
Spanish 5900
Panama City Radio Mundial in
Spanish 550
Panama City Televisora Nacional in
Spanish 8880
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
14500
3820
1160
3450
0
1230
2530
3500
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
Panama City LA PRENSA in
Spanish
15690
Panama City LA REPUBLICA DOMINICAL in
Spanish
0
Panama City LA REPUBLICA in
Spanish
9560
Panama City MATUTINO in
Spanish
4230
Panama City QUIUBO GRAFICO in
Spanish
0
Panama City STAR AND HERALD in
English
2110
Panama City THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC in
English
0
PERU
Lima REUTER in
English
SPAIN
Madrid EFE in
Spanish
USSR
Moscow APN in
Spanish
VENEZUELA
Caracas Television Service in
Spanish
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-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
TOTALS FROM ROSET SOURCES:
CHILE
Santiago Radio Chilena Network in
Spanish
Santiago Television Service in
Spanish
COLOMBIA
Bogota Television Service in
Spanish
Bogota REUTER in
Spanish
9,760
CUBA
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
9,040
ECUADOR
Quito REUTER in
Spanish
MEXICO
Mexico City XEW Television Network in
Spanish
2,030
Mexico City XHDF Television Network in
Spanish
4,490
Mexico City CERIGUA in
Spanish
1,830
Mexico City REUTER in
Spanish
2,980
NICARAGUA
Managua ANN in
Spanish
12,050
Managua PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
2,940
PERU
Lima REUTER in
English
SPAIN
Madrid EFE in
Spanish
2,710
USSR
Moscow APN in
Spanish
1,640
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8
VENEZUELA
Caracas Television Service in
Spanish
5,980
Caracas REUTER in
English
1,960
TOTAL FOR MARCH 1986 60,060
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120010-8