MONTHLY REPORT - PANAMA BUREAU - AUGUST 1985

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86-00040R000300590005-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 13, 2010
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: September 6, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

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FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE
PANAMA BUREAU
DRAWER 927
APO MIAMI 34004
6 September 1985
MPA-5036
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Foreign Broadcast Information Service
THROUGH : Chief, Operations Group
SUBJECT : Monthly Report - Panama Bureau -- August 1985
August saw the completion of several major renovation and construction
projects. Within the Operations Building, a contractor completed work on
the editorial desk which now provides for four comfortable work stations
(three editors and a monitor supervisor) and an enlarged Lazy Susan for
files and reference materials. The shop and storage areas have undergone
a complete renovation. Other completed projects awaiting only the arrival
of carpeting are a separate office for the bureau's ROSET engineer and a
separate room - across the hall from the editorial room - for
teleprinters. On Ft. Clayton, the screened porches for the six FBIS
houses were completed.
The technical problems which haunted the ROSET's during July and early
August seem to have disappeared with the cleaning and rebuilding of the
rectifier assemblies of the motor controller of both antennas, the
installation of air conditioners in the bases of the antennas, and the
replacement of a motor controller board. Preventive maintenance -
consisting of complete lubrication of all grease fittings, gears, and gear
boxes as well as touch up painting of rust spots on exposed ferrous metal
surfaces -- was performed during the month on the antennas.
A. Monitorial/Editorial
Coverage efforts during August revolved primarily around
Nicaragua with no indications that substantive change in the Central
American situation was likely.
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Relations between Costa Rica and Nicaragua continued strained,
with border incidents and protest notes being dispatched in both
directions. Attacks by the Honduran-based Nicaraguan Democratic Force
(FDN) and the much-weakened Costa Rican-based Democratic Revolutionary
Alliance (ARDE) continued, including the "kidnapping" of members of a U.S.
Christian peace group by ARDE. During the incident that lasted just over
24 hours, the bureau maintained a round-the-clock watch on Nicaraguan
trasmitters and on the Managua ANN and Havana PRENSA LATINA circuits
available via ROSET. Several flash messages were filed in conjuction with
the incident.
As the month drew to a close, Costa Rican President Monge
reiterated that talks with Nicaragua could not be held until the
Nicaraguan Government had apologized for the June attack on a civil guard
patrol at Las Crucitas. In the meantime more border violations and
attacks by troops for the Sandinist Peoples Army (EPS) persisted.
Peace-seeking efforts by the Contadora Group also continued,
joined this month by the personal efforts of Panama Defense Forces
commander in chief General Manuel A. Noriega and former president of Costa
Rica Jose Figueres. During the month General Noriega visited both Costa
Rica and Nicaragua, and met with Presidents Monge and Ortega to offer
Panama as a venue for a "dialogue," which Noriega described as "the best
weapon." Both presidents declined to accept the Noriega offer. Former
president Figueres tried to lead a "peace mission" into Nicaragua on 30
August, but the Costa Rica Government barred the majority of its members
from leaving Costa Rica because "their papers were not in order."
Figueres was allowed to travel to Nicaragua, however, and while there he
met with President Daniel Ortega and several members of the Sandinist
cabinet.
Nicaragua's relations with Honduras also remained strained with a
report of an EPS attack on Choluteca on 16 August. The ongoing conflict
with Nicaragua was exacerbated toward the end of the month by a confusing
incident at the Colomocagua refugee camp where soldiers reportedly went to
seek guerrillas who had sought sanctuary by hiding among the refugees.
Three persons were killed in the ensuing clash between troops and alleged
guerrillas.
In El Salvador, the rebels sustained attacks on strategic targets
and chose 13 August to publicize a meeting held in June that witnessed a
new agreement on unity and military strategy among the major
anti-government factions. The results of the meeting were outlined in a
message read during a joint transmission by the two rebel clandestine
transmitters Radio Venceremos and Farabundo Marti. Not to be outdone,
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the Salvadoran administration soon had an announcement of its own: At a
press conference 2 weeks later President Duarte announced that three of
the guerrillas who had participated in the June 1985 Zona Rosa massacre
had been apprehended. President Duarte attributed success in apprehending
the criminals to U.S. training and advice. The following day, the
president told a newsman that no talks with the rebels was possible before
October.
Guatemala, recently the least troubled of the five Central
American nations, heated up late in August after the government approved a
50 percent hike in bus fares, from 10 to 15 cents. Popular protests
followed, with the government arresting scores of persons after some 13
public and private vehicles had been set on fire on city streets.
In Panama, strikes were held throughout the month by workers of
both the public and private sectors to secure hikes in pay and benefits,
express discontent with the deteriorating economic situation, and protest
the "kidnapping" of outspoken opposition leader Dr. Mauro Zuniga. Dr.
Zuniga, who was severely beaten by his unidentified captors, and then
released, is a leader of the opposition Coordinating Board for National
Civilianization, COCINA; vice president of the Popular Action Party; and
president of the Association of Doctors, Dentists, and Related
Professionals of the Social Security Fund. Opposition to the year-old
administration of President Nicolas Ardito Barletta seems to be gaining
momentum, and rumors of a coup are already circulating.
At the beginning of the month guerrilla-government relations
seemed to be moving ahead in at least one Latin American country, when
both the Columbian Government and the 19 April Movement, M-19, appeared
willing to discuss the terms for a resumption of the talks broken in June
when the M-19 returned underground. By the end of August, however, the
government had launched a major drive agianst the insurgents, raiding
several guerrilla hideouts and killing Ivan Mariano Espino, one of the top
M-19 leaders, in a clash.
B. Communications
In a major upgrade of bureau backup communications, INTEL
installed new Telex equipment, the Oki model T-100.
There was considerable activity and several promises by the Army
in August suggesting that the long-awaited Mode I circuit would be
installed and activated in the near future.
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C. Technical
During the month the bureau procured locally two air conditioners
(National, Model CW-120P, 1300 BTU-208-V, Serial Nos: 0381-50025 and
0381-49979. Unit Price: $419.00) and one Canon Copier (Model NP-200,
Serial No. 8-0100116 w/2 cassettes legal and letter size. Unit Price:
$2,800.00, with trade in for old Canon NP-200).
A. Personnel
There was a significant changeover in staff editorial personnel
in August. On the 2d, departed for Washington after
completion of her two-year tour. who replaced her, arrived
on the 21st after an assignment in Vienna
and home leave. filling a new editorial slot, arrived
from Washington on the 29th.
The new staff part-time secretary) )entered on duty
TDY editorial trainee
after a three-month TDY.
was promo
cruising
C
ted to FBN 7
Monitor Supervisor
TDY in Key West on 6 August.
departed Panama on the 16th
ief of the Communications Section,
On the same date, his brother,
received a PSI (to 9/8).
Our newest monitor signed effective
COB 13 August. We have selected s her replacement
and have begun pre-employment processing.
Both gave birth to
girls during August.
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B. Building and Grounds
Courtesy of the Program Development Group, a simplex lock has
been added to the door of the bureau chief's office. On another security
matter, the first steps were taken to install grillwork at the entrances
of the apartments of editor in downtown
Panama City.
A contractor completed the third cutting this year of the
antenna field.
The chief of the newly created Engineering Support Group,
visited Panama 27-29 August for a first-hand acquaintance with bureau
operations, including ROSET operations. During the course of the visit
he, the bureau chief, and deputy chief met with Frnak Santomenno, general
manager and executive vice president of INTERCOMSA, to discuss the
INTERNET project.
Other visitors to the bureau during the month were Chris Leibengood,
RSO and acting embassy administrative counselor, on 9 August; Lt. Col.
Frank Feild, SOUTHCOM's public affairs officer, who accompanied Art Skop,
the U.S. embassy press officer in Tegucigalpa, on 9 August; and Sigrid
Maitrejean, Terence Kneebone, and Cynthia Farrell of USIS, Panama, on 14
August.
The bureau chief was in Managua 21-23 Au ust to interview candidates
to replace the FBIS press contractor there. as
selected; after a week of working with the present contractor, she will
assume full responsibility on 9 September.
Chiet, Panama Bureau,
Attachment:
Production Report
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Panama Bureau Production Report for August 1985
TOTAL PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH: 490630
TOTAL NON-PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH: 21070
TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLISHABLE ITEMS FILED DURING MONTH: 1266
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
II. INPUT OF REGULAR COVERAGE: 11065.00 42090.00 205.00
(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
CLANDESTINES
Clandestine Radio Farabundo Marti in
Spanish to El Salvador 6240
Clandestine Radio Venceremos in
Spanish to El Salvador 28730
Clandestine Voice of Sandino in
Spanish to Nicaragua 0
COLOMBIA
Bogota Cadena Radial Super in
Spanish
Bogota Domestic Service in
Spanish
Bogota Emisoras Caracol Network in
Spanish
Bogota Radio Sutatenza Network in
Spanish
Bogota Television Service in
Spanish
Bogota REUTER in
English
Bogota EL SIGLO in
Spanish
Bogota EL TIEMPO in
Spanish
COSTA RICA
San Jose Radio Impacto in
Spanish
1290
0
2870
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BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
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 690
Havana International Service in
Spanish 61710
Havana International Service in
English 0
Havana Domestic Service in
Spanish 10880
Havana EFE in
Spanish 410
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
English 8930
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish 12970
Havana GRANMA in
Spanish
ECUADOR
Quito Domestic Service in
Spanish 17150
Quito Radio Quito in
Spanish 580
Quito Voz de ros Andes in
Spanish 2920
Quito REUTER in
Spanish
EL SALVADOR
San Salvador Domestic Service in
Spanish
San Salvador Radio Cadena Sonora in
Spanish
5460
1730
3590
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BROAD- PRESS
CASTS AGENCIES
PUBLI-
CATIONS
San
San
San
Salvador
Spanish
Salvador
Spanish
Salvador
Spanish
Radio Cadena YSKL in
Radio Cadena YSU in
DIARIO LATINO in
0
San
Salvador
Spanish
EL DIARIO DE HOY in
3150
San
Salvador
Spanish
EL MUNDO in
3290
San
Salvador
Spanish
EL TIEMPO in
0
San
Salvador
Spanish
LA PRENSA GRAFICA in
3490
San
Salvador
Spanish
ORIENTACION in
660
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
Guatemala City Radio Nuevo Mundo in
Spanish
Guatemala City Radio Television
Guatemala in
Spanish
Guatemala City EL GRAFICO in
Spanish
Guatemala City PRENSA LIBRE in
Spanish
HONDURAS
Tegucigalpa Cadena Audio Video in
Spanish
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BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
Domestic Service in
1600
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
Televisora Hondurena in
310
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
Voz de Honduras Network in
1860
San Pedro Sula LA PRENSA in
Spanish
570
San Pedro Sula TIEMPO in
Spanish
2180
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
EL HERALDO in
1310
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
LA TRIBUNA in
1910
MEXICO
Mexico City XEW Television Network in
Spanish
Mexico City XHDF Television
Network in
Spanish
Mexico City REUTER in
English
Mexico ENFOPRENSA in
Spanish
Mexico City EL DIA in
Spanish
Mexico City EL NACIONAL in
Spanish
Mexico City EXCELSIOR in
Spanish
Mexico City THE NEWS in
English
Mexico City UNOMASUNO in
Spanish
890
1180
320
NICARAGUA
Managua International Service in
Spanish 420
Managua Domestic Service in
Spanish 23440
Managua Radio Noticias in
Spanish 5560
Managua Radio Sandino in
Spanish 39960
Managua Sistema Sandinista Television
Network in
Spanish 1990
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BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
Managua ANN in
Spanish
12300
Managua ANN in
English
1770
Managua PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
570
Managua BARRICADA in
Spanish
Managua EL NUEVO DIARIO in
Spanish
Managua LA PRENSA in
Spanish
8000
4410
4260
PANAMA
Panama City Circuito RPC
Television in
Spanish
Panama City Domestic Service in
Spanish
Panama City PANAVISION in
Spanish
Panama City Televisora Nacional in
Spanish
3130
3100
1420
1400
Panama City ACAN in
Spanish
Panama City CRITICA in
Spanish
Panama City DIALOGO SOCIAL in
Spanish
0
Panama City EL SIGLO in
Spanish
930
Panama City EXTRA in
Spanish
1440
Panama City LA ESTRELLA DE PANAMA in
Spanish
7850
Panama City LA PRENSA in
Spanish
6640
Panama City LA REPUBLICA DOMINICAL in
Spanish
0
Panama City LA REPUBLICA in
Spanish
1710
Panama City MATUTINO in
Spanish
0
Panama City QUIUBO GRAFICO in
Spanish
280
Panama City STAR AND HERALD in
English
2000
Panama City THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC in
English
0
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PERU
Lima REUTER in
Spanish
SPAIN
Madrid EFE in
Spanish
VENEZUELA
Caracas Radio Rumbas Network in
Spanish
Caracas Television Service in
Spanish
Caracas REUTER in
English
Caracas EL NACIONAL in
Spanish
Caracas EL UNIVERSAL in
Spanish
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
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PANAMA BUREAU PRODUCTION REPORT FOR AUGUST 1985 -- ANNEX
TOTALS FROM ROSET SOURCES:
ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires REUTER in
English
COLOMBIA
Bogota Television Service
Spanish
in
2,040
Bogota REUTER in
English
1,020
CUBA
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish 12,970
Havana EFE in
Spanish
ECUADOR
Quito REUTER in
Spanish
MEXICO
Mexico City XEW Television Network in
Spanish 3,160
Mexico City XHDF Television Network in
Spanish
3,220
Mexico City REUTER in
English
2,340
Mexico City NEFOPRENSA in
Spanish
230
NICARAGUA
Managua ANN in
Spanish
12,300
Managua ANN in
English
1,770
Managua PRENSA LATINA
Spanish
in
570
PERU
Lima REUTER in
Spanish
SPAIN
Madrid EFE in
Spanish
1,120
VENEZUELA
Caracas Television Service in
Spanish
6,760
Caracas REUTER in
English
3,320
TOTAL FOR AUGUST 1985
52,660
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