MONTHLY REPORT -- PANAMA BUREAU -- APRIL 1986

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 22, 2012
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: May 6, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE
PANAMA BUREAU
DRAWER 927
APO MIAMI 34004
6 May 1986
MPA-6013
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Foreign Broadcast Information Service
THROUGH : Chief, Operations Group
: Monthly Report -- Panama Bureau -- April 1986
Bureau Chiefl laccepted a rotational assignment in
headquarters and departed Panama on 2 April. The family will
remain in Panama until the end of May so their childrens education will
not be interrupted. In shades of a Bolivian Government changeover, Panama
Bureau began a period that will see five different bureau chiefs or acting
chiefs in as many months. assumed duties as acting bureau
chief on 2 April.
Panama Bureau's three new 9.2-meter limited-motion ROSET antennas
became fully operational on 1 April. With their activation the bureau
began uninterrupted monitoring of nine press agency circuits from the
34.5W INTELSAT, while maintaining coverage of Venezuelan, Colombian, and
Mexican television. The new satellite antennas are also being used in a
combined cruising and sampling survey of satellite transmissions we
foresee laying on coverage.
In preparing for Paraguay Bureau's associate ROSET to go operational
Panama Bureau reviewed the signals transmitted by the BRASILSAT SBTS Al at
65W and BRASILSAT SBTS A2 at 70W. Cruising information on the television
signals carried on the 65W BRASILSAT were reported. No press agency
circuits were monitored on either satellite; in fact only telemetry
signals have been observed thus far on the 70W BASILSAT.
Panama Bureau's participation in the INTERNET project made substantial
progress in April. Two contractors from Satellite Transmission Systems,
Inc. visited the bureau to identify the site for the 13-meter INTERNET
l
d
INTEXCUMSA officia
s an
two officials for the Panamanina government
visited the bureau for a general briefing and review of INTERNET plans.
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A. Monitorial/Editorial
The background of tension continued in Central America with
several key events in April. In Honduras, President Jose Azcona delivered
an address to the nation via a national network on 4 April in which he
defended the request by his government for U.S. aid to repulse a Sandinist
People's Army border incursion. Azcona's address followed the 24 March
Honduran confirmation of a border incursion by Nicaragua which had led to
tense relations between the two countries. Azcona justified the Honduran
request by simply listing alledged Nicaraguan border violations to date.
On 5 April, attention turned to Panama where a meeting of Central
American foreign ministers and their counterparts from the Contadora and
Support Groups began. Although the meeting was billed by some as one of
the last chances for Contadora to succeed in achieving peace in Central
America, the meeting adjourned on 7 April (one day later than planned)
without a complete consensus. In response to a request from the Wire
Service, Panama Bureau remained open until the early morning hours of 7
April to provide details of the final day's evening session. A communique
issued at the conclusion of the 3-day session invited the Central American
countries to a 6 June meeting to sign the final document.
On 12 April, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, whose country
had failed to provide the consensus needed at the Panama meeting,
clarified his country's position. In a live speech carried by Managua
Domestic Service, Ortega said that "Nicaragua agrees to sign this document
on 6 June, as long as the U.S. agression against Nicaragua has completely
ended by that date and as long as an agreement is reached on the points
pending in the modified document."
In response to an alert from Paraguay Bureau, the bureau began
monitoring Lima Television Peruana via ROSET on 10 April for coverage of a
visit to Uruguay by Peruvian President Alan Garcia. In addition to a VSL,
the bureau filed a joint Uruguayan-Peruvian communique and the text of a
40-minute speech by President Garcia on 11 April at the Latin American
Integration Association (ALADI) in Montevideo.
Following the U.S. attack against Libya in the early morning
hours of 15 April, the bureau filed numerous reports at immediate
precedence on regional reaction to the U.S. air strike. The responses
from the Cuban and Nicaraguan Governments were of particular interest.
Cuba, in a government statement broadcast over Havana International
Service, termed the strike a "pirate-like action," while Nicaragua
expressed "its most vigorous condemnation of this new aggression, which
endangers world peace" in a Foreign Ministry communique broadcast over
Managua International Service.
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
In Panama, the completion of the 15th training seminar for
lieutenants provided the setting for an awkwardly staged late night
telecast from the Presidential Palace on 24 April. Lieutenant Nino Baprio
read a declaration alleging that certain "well-known political groups"
were attempting to increase their "treacherous attacks" and
anti-Panamanian campaigns. Following the reading of the declaration,
President Eric Delvalle, Defense Forces Chief General Manuel Noriega, and
Foreign Minister Jorge Abadia all made brief statements. Delvalle alluded
to a "campaign of slander, half-truths, and falsehoods spread by a
minority of evil Panamanians." The declaration and the accompanying
statements appear to have been in response to comments by U.S.
Administration and congressional officials on the possible role of Panama
in drug trafficking and money laundering. In the aftermath of the 24 April
broadcast, the bureau filed numerous reports from opposition leaders and
parties. Panama's Christian Democratic Party President Ricardo Arias
Calderon termed the event a "regrettable show" to which "no serious
government" would be a part.
B. Communications
The Army communications team lead by Mr. Nelson Smith departed
Panama 15 April. The Smith team was unable to activate the bureau's Mode
I Mux circuit and it is now unlikely that they will ever be able to do
so. The Army communications people continued to complain that the bureau
equipment was not compatible with the Army equipment. FBIS Headquarters
advises us, however, that the two sets of equipment are compatible with
software changes in the Army equipment The Army will not acknowledge or
agree to such changes to accommodate our equipment.
On 14 April, USAISC Panama commander Colonel Bob Abney and Dick
Stumvoll, USAISC Plans and Projects, visited to discuss bureau
communications needs. The Panama Automated Relay is expected to remain
operational until this fall and a "tone pack" alternative was seen as the
most probable fall-back option for the bureau's communications when PAR
closes.
C. Technical
During the month, the following accountable property was
Three Leader Audio Generators, Model LAG-120B, Serial Nos.
510349, 5080223, and 5120357. Unit Price: $295.00 each.
Four NEFAX Bit I/II Facsimile Tranceivers, Serial Nos. 13746,
12752, 13766, and 13758. Unit Price: $4,085.00 each.
Teletypist
Panama City on 10 April.
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
Panama City on 19 April.
B. Building and Grounds
Local contractor Cedeno and Choy completed construction of a
ROSET monitorial booth with furniture, a mail desk, and miscellaneous
furniture for the shop area during the month. Cedeno and Choy removed the
double fence along the east side of the operations building.
New U. S. Ambassador to Panama Arthur H. Davis and Deputy Chief of
Mission William T. Pryce visited the bureau on 3 April for a briefing and
tour.
On 7 April, the acting chief and attended a
reception at the Marriott Hotel hosted by contractor INTERCOMSA
in honor of the 16th meeting of the International Telecommunciations
Satellite Organization (INTELSAT).
USAISC Commander Colonel Robert 0. Abney and Richard 0. Stumvoll,
USAIC Plans and Projects Branch chief, visited the bureau on 14 April for
a tour and discussion of the bureau's communications needs.
On 23 April, four INTERCOMSA officials and two officials from the
Panamanian Ministry of Government and Justice visited the bureau for a
briefing on FBIS's mission worldwide and the bureau's work in particular:
From INTERCOMSA -- Jose Guanti,: Karlos Brown, technical supervisor;
Rodrigo McCollins, Special Services; and Marcel D. Carfantan, Panama City
technical manager. From the Panamanian Ministry of Government and Justice
- Aurelion Ali Bonilla, national director of Social Communications Media,
and Mario Bernudez, assistant to the telecommunications advisor.
Ms. Nan Mattingly from the Department of State in Washington, D.C.
visited the bureau from 26 April to 2 May for a familiarization with FBIS
field bureau work.
Acting Chief, Panama Bureau
FBIS
Attachment
Production Report
STAT
STAT
STAT
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
Panama Bureau Production Report for April 1986
TOTAL PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH: 582070
TOTAL NON-PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH: 20100
TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLISHABLE ITEMS FILED DURING MONTH: 1504
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
II. INPUT OF REGULAR COVERAGE: 10970.00 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
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 0
Bogota Domestic Service in
Spanish 0
Bogota Emisoras Caracol Network in
Spanish 0
Bogota Radio Sutatenza Network in
Spanish 3330
Bogota Television Service in
Spanish 5240
Bogota REUTER in
Spanish
Bogota REUTER in
English
Bogota EL SIGLO in
Spanish
Bogota EL TIEMPO in
Spanish
COSTA RICA
San Jose Radio Impacto in
Spanish
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
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 480
Havana International Service in
Spanish 54770
Havana Domestic Service in
Spanish 8910
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
English
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
ECUADOR
Quito Radio Quito in
Spanish
Quito Voz de los Andes in
S
h
panis
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
4170
3170
3760
Quito REUTER
Spanish
Quito REUTER
English
in
in
EL
San
SALVADOR
Salvador
Spanish
Canal Dace Television in
2550
San
Salvador
Spanish
Channel 2 Television in
250
San
Salvador
Spanish
Domestic Service in
520
San
Salvador
Spanish
La Voz Panamericana in
2600
San
Salvador
Spanish
Radio Cadena Sonora in
2040
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
BROAD- PRESS
CASTS AGENCIES
PUBLI-
CATIONS
San
Salvador
Spanish
Radio Cadena YSKL in
6000
San
Salvador
Spanish
Radio Cadena YSU in
3410
San
Salvador
Spanish
Television Educativa
2270
San
Salvador
Spanish
DIARIO LATINO in
890
San
Salvador
Spanish
DIARIO DE HOY in
1810
San
Salvador
Spanish
MUNDO in
290
San
San
San
San
Salvador
Spanish
Salvador
Spanish
Salvador
Spanish
Salvador
English
TIEMPO in
PRENSA GRAFICA in
FRANCE
Paris AFP in
English
Paris AFP in
Spanish
GERMANY
Hamburg DPA in
Spanish
GUATEMALA
Guatemala City
Unidas in
Spanish
5610
Guatemala City Domestic Service in
Spanish
4310
Guatemala City Radio Nuevo Mundo in
Spanish
200
Guatemala City
Guatemala in
Spanish
Guatemala City
Spanish
Guatemala City
Spanish
Guatemala City
Spanish
Radio Television
TELEONCE Television in
EL GRAFICO in
PRENSA LIBRE in
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
HONDURAS
Tegucigalpa Cadena Audio Video in
Spanish
Tegucigalpa Domestic Service in
Spanish
Tegucigalpa La Voz Evangelica de Honduras
in
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
Spanish 260
Tegucigalpa Radio America in
Spanish 710
Tegucigalpa Televisooa Hondurena in
Spanish 2510
Tegucigalpa Voz de Honduras Network in
Spanish 12030
San Pedro Sula LA PRENSA in
Spanish
San Pedro Sula TIEMPO in
Spanish
Tegucigalpa EL HERALDO in
Spanish
Tegucigalpa LA TRIBUNA in
Spanish
120
10800
3590
2470
MEXICO
Mexico City XEW Television Network in
Spanish 3090
Mexico City XHDF Television
Network in
Spanish 7810
Mexico City CERIGUA in
Spanish 770
Mexico City REUTER in
English 1610
Mexico City REUTER in
Spanish 240
Mexico City EL DIA in
Spanish 6580
Mexico City EL NACIONAL in
Spanish 480
Mexico City EL UNIVERSAL in
Spanish 2120
Mexico City EXCELSIOR in
Spanish 9330
Mexico City THE NEWS in
English 400
Mexico City UNOMASUNO in
Spanish 8530
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
NICARAGUA
Managua International Service in
Spanish
4930
Managua Domestic Service in
Spanish
22470
Managua Radio Noticias in
Spanish
870
Managua Radio Sandino in
Spanish
27770
Managua Sistema Sandinista Television
Network in
Spanish
4410
Managua ANN Diplomatic Information
Service in
Spanish
370
Managua ANN in
Spanish
22500
Managua PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
6550
Managua SALPRESS-NOTISAL in
Spanish
260
Managua BARRICADA in
Spanish 12190
Managua EL NUEVO DIARIO in
Spanish 6990
Managua LA PRENSA in
Spanish 1650
PANAMA
Panama City Circuito RPC
Television in
Spanish
6210
Panama City Circuito RPC Radio in
Spanish
170
Panama City Domestic Service in
Spanish
3200
Panama City PANAVISION Television in
Spanish
980
Panama City Television Service in
Spanish
880
Panama City Televisora Nacional in
Spanish
3910
Panama City ACAN in
Spanish
Panama City CRITICA in
Spanish
Panama City DIALO00 SOCIAL in
Spanish
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
Panama City EL SIGLO in
Spanish
3460
Panama City EXTRA in
Spanish
2910
Panama City LA ESTRELLA DE PANAMA in
Spanish
6190
Panama City LA PRENSA in
Spanish
10720
Panama City LA REPUBLICA DOMINICAL in
Spanish
1540
Panama City LA REPUBLICA in
Spanish
2580
Panama City MATUTINO in
Spanish
2320
Panama City QUIUBO GRAFICO in
Spanish
2470
Panama City STAR AND HERALD in
English
1310
Panama City THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC in
English
PERU
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
Caracas REUTER in
English
Caracas EL NACIONAL in
Spanish
Caracas EL UNIVERSAL in
Spanish
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
PANAMA BUREAU PRODUCTION REPORT FOR APRIL 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
Bogota REUTER in
Spanish
CUBA
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
ECUADOR
Quito REUTER in
English
Quito REUTER in
Spanish
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 REUTER in
Spanish
NICARAGUA
Managua ANN Diplomatic Information Service in
Spanish
Managua ANN in
Spanish
Managua PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
Managua SALPRESS-NOTISAL in
Spanish
5,240
1,170
13,550
3,090
7,810
770
1,610
370
22,500
6,550
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0
PERU
Lima Television Peruana in
Spanish
5,710
Lima REUTER in
Spanish
SPAIN
Madrid EFE in
Spanish
3,980
VENEZUELA
Caracas Television Service in
Spanish
9,410
Caracas REUTER in
English
1,580
TOTAL FOR APRIL 1986
85,750
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/22 : CIA-RDP87-01104R000100120009-0