MONTHLY REPORT--PANAMA BUREAU--NOVEMBER 1987

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-00733R000100100002-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 18, 2012
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: December 4, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

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ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
SUBJECT: (Optional)
Monthly Report -- Panama Bureau
FROM:
EXTENSION
NO.
Chief, Operations Group
DATE
S
November 1987
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
building)
DATE
OFFICER'S
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
RECEIVED
FORWARDED
INITIALS
to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)
1.
C/O
ps
2.
3.
DD/FBIS
5.
D/FBIS
6.
7.
PO/RA
B.
CD
A
/
S
9.
10.
C/AS
11.
12.
C/AG
13.
Admin Staff
14.
C/B$F
15.
Exec. Reg.
FORM 610 USE DITI PRE
1-79 E VIOUSONS
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4 December 1987
MPA-7030
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Foreign Broadcast Information Service
THROUGH : Chief, Operations Group
SUBJECT : Monthly Report -- Panama Bureau -- November 1987
Street protests in Panama were minimal during November. The
government continued to tightly control the situation. U.S.-Panamanian
relations continued to deteriorate. With the unannounced passage of a
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee resolution cutting all military
and economic aid to Panama, the embassy braced for an outpouring of
rhetoric and retaliatory measures. Initial official reaction was milder
than expected. General Noriega publicly shrugged off the resolution,
noting that U.S. aid to Panama was minimal. But reaction picked up as the
month progressed. On 24 November, the Legislative Assembly surfaced a
resolution (these are non-binding) calling on the GOP to take measures to
restrict the U.S. military presence in Panama. At the end of the month
the GOP delivered a diplomatic note to the embassy giving all U.S. AID
employees 7 days to leave the country. The government is also having
domestic problems. Public squabbles between members of its various
factions point to a weakening of political unity. And the deteriorating
economy has resulted in organized strikes by public utility employees
against the government. The general mood is that things will probably get
worse before they get better.
II. OPERATIONS
A. Editorial/Monitorial
1. November was a busy month. As the November 5 deadline for
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compliance with the Esquipulas deadline drew near, the various Central
American governments were busily reporting the results of their efforts.
There was also extensive coverage of Fidel Castro's and Daniel Ortega's
visits to Moscow for the 70th Great October Socialist Revolution
festivities. These events, together with the Acapulco summit of eight
Latin American presidents, several appearances by both Castro and Ortega,
and the publication of the Mexican ruling party's platform for 1988 and
beyond produced a spate of speeches, news conferences, decrees, and
communiques that necessitated lengthy watches, running summaries, and
high-precedence processing. On several occasions the bureau was forced to
stay open well past its midnight COB.
2. One event resulting in special interest among consumers was
Daniel Ortega's 5 November speech in which he announced that Nicaragua
would talk with the contras through an intermediary. This announcement
sparked an unusual Headquarters request from a "high-level consumer" for
the bureau to provide the entire Spanish transcript of the speech.
B. Lateral Services
In early N-mber received a hand-written note from Deputy
Chief of Mission expressing "many thanks and kudos for a job
well done" in our processing of an interview given by Panamanian Vice
Print Esquivel during which he criticized government policy. Mr.
added in his note that the translation was "fast, accurate, and of
tremendous use both here and in Washington."
C. Technical
1. As part of the bureau's renovation effort, all press agency
extel machines have been moved to the newly created press agency room.
3. The following accountable property was transferred to
headquarters:
Two B-Mac Encoder, System 525-1, Series 9700, Serial Nos:
70510061 and 705170062
Two Dolby Digital Audio Encoder, Model DP85, Serial Nos. 330
and 346.
Two digital NTSC Decoder/Synchronyzer, Model 9740, Serial Nos:
70560058 and 70560059.
Two Electronic Racks. Total price: $133,000
One Sony, Video Recorder, Model U-Matic, Serial No.
26842. Unit price: $2,390.
STAT
STAT
STAT
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IV. ADMINISTRATION
A. Personnel
1. who is the bureau's first logistics
specialist, entered on duty 9 November.
was promoted to GS-9 effective 8 November.
3. Monitor) Iwas promoted to the shift
supervisor grade of FBN-11 e ective 8 November.
4. Radio Technician
to 11 October.
was promoted to FBN-4 retroactive
5. A dog the bureau had been grooming to become the compound
hound was killed by a garbage truck on the nearby road. A visit to the
U.S. military pound for a replacement resulted in our acquiring three
dogs, plus one of the dog's puppies, that were slated to be put down. We
found a home for puppy. Two days later one of the other dogs surprised
all by giving birth to 5 puppies. Fortunately, the bureau still is under
T/0 and can carry them on our records until they are ready to be placed in
homes.
B. Building and Grounds
1. Renovation of the monitorial booths, editorial room and bureau
offices was completed by month's end. The renovation included the
creation of a shift supervisor's booth adjacent to the slot editor and the
relocation of the press agency machines. Partitions to accommodate
computer workstations were also set up in the communications room. The
renovation is aimed at facilitating procedural changes and FBA operation
scheduled for early next year.
2. Construction of an attached storage warehouse and additional
fencing also continued and are nearing completion.
1. On 11 November, New U.S. Army Informations Systems commander
Colonel Robert Von Steenburg and civilian contractor Richard Stumvoll paid
a courtesy call on the bureau chief and received a briefing and
orientation.
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
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2. Editor) (visited London Bureau on 2 November while
on personal travel in the United Kingdom.
3. Monitory (spent a day each visiting Nicosia
and Tel Aviv Bureaus in early November while on personal travel to the
Middle East.
Chjef, Panapfa Bureau
According to diplomatic sources here in Panama, the bureau chief was
seen wearing a COAT and TIE on the night of 8 November at the U.S. Marine
Corps Ball held at the Marriott Hotel. This unusual attire was apparently
part of an unsuccessful attempt to avoid being recognized as the U.S.
embassy's oldest marine during the birthday celebration held as part of
the Marine Ball festivities.
STAT
STAT
STAT
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Panama Bureau Production Report for NOVEMBER 1987
TOTAL PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH: 402240
TOTAL NON-PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH: 44910
TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLISHABLE ITEMS FILED DURING MONTH: 582
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
II. INPUT OF REGULAR COVERAGE: 14892.00 74700.00 220.00
(minutes or issues per week) min. min. issues
III. OUTPUT FROM ALL SOURCES:
(publishable words per month)
ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires REUTER 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
Bogota Emisoras Caracol Network in
Spanish
Bogota INRAVISION Television Cadena 1
in
Spanish
Bogota INRAVISION Television Cadena 2
in
Spanish
Bogota EL SIGLO in
Spanish
Bogota EL TIEMPC) in
Spanish
COSTA RICA
San Jose Radio Impacto in
Spanish
San Jose Radio Reloj in
Spanish
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San Jose ADELANTE in
Spanish
San Jose LA NACION in
Spanish
San Jose LA PRENSA LIBRE in
Spanish
San Jose LA REPUBLICA in
Spanish
San Jose LIBERTAD REVOLUCIC)NARIA in
Spanish
San Jose LIBERTAD in
Spanish
San Jose RUMBO in
Spanish
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
CUBA
Havana International Service in
Quechua 350
Havana International Service in
Spanish 26290
Havana CUBAVISION Television in
Spanish 3810
Havana EFE to EFE Madrid in
Spanish
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
English
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
ECUADOR
Quito Radio Quito in
Spanish
Quito Voz de los Andes in
480
1310
0
2560
0
0
EL
San
Spanish
SALVADOR
Salvador
Spanish
Canal Doce Television in
11490
San
Salvador
Spanish
Canal Seis Television in
8550
San
Salvador
Spanish
Domestic Service in
4330
San
Salvador
Spanish
La Voz Panamericana in
C)
San
Salvador
Spanish
Radio Cadena Sonora in
4390
San
Salvador
Spanish
Radio Cadena YSKL in
7120
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BROAD- PRESS
CASTS AGENCIES
PUBLI-
CATIONS
Sari
Salvador
Spanish
Radio Cadena YSU in
5660
Sari
Salvador
Spanish
TCS Television in
270
San
Salvador
Spanish
Television Nacional in
1680
San
San
Salvador
Spanish
Salvador
Spanish
DIARIO LATINO in
EL DIARIO DE HOY in
0
San
Salvador
Spanish
EL MUNDC) in
1750
San
Salvador
Spanish
LA NC)TICIA in
0
San
Salvador
Spanish
LA PRENSA GRAFICA in
FRANCE
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
HONDURAS
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
Cadena Audio Video in
1970
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
Televisora Hondurena in
0
Tegucigalpa
Spanish
Voz de Honduras Network in
3760
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BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
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 Cadena RASA-IMER in
Spanish
Mexico City Red National 13 IMEVISION
Television in
Spanish
Mexico City XEW Television Network in
Spanish
Mexico City XHTV Television in
Spanish
0
21950
4620
330
Mexico City CERIGUA in
Spanish
Mexico City ENFOPRENSA in
Spanish
Mexico City EL DIA in
Spanish
2400
Mexico City EL NACIONAL in
Spanish
19530
Mexico City EL UNIVERSAL in
Spanish
60
Mexico City EXCELSIOR in
Spanish
9010
Mexico City THE NEWS in
English
1160
Mexico City UNOMASUNO in
Spanish
2420
NICARAGUA
Managua International Service in
Spanish
120
Managua Domestic Service in
Spanish
60880
Managua Radio Noticias in
Spanish
0
Managua Radio Sandino in
Spanish
35430
Managua Sistema Sandinista Television
Network in
Spanish
5460
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BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
Managua ANN Diplomatic Information
Service in
Spanish
0
Managua ANN in
Spanish
3070
Managua NC)TISAL in
Spanish
0
Managua NOTISAL-SALPRESS in
Spanish
0
Managua PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish to PRENSA LATINA Havana
110
Managua BARRICADA in
Spanish 5880
Managua EL NUEVO DIARIO in
Spanish 2190
Managua LA PRENSA in
Spanish 2300
PANAMA
Panama City Cadena Exitosa in
Spanish
5660
Panama City Circuito RPC
Television in
Spanish
7230
Panama City Domestic Service in
Spanish
4460
Panama City Panavision Television in
Spanish
7380
Panama City Radio Exitosa in
Spanish
2860
Panama City Telemetro Television in
Spanish
950
Panama City Television Service in
Spanish
2330
Panama City Televisora Nacional in
Spanish
1860
Panama City ACAN in
Spanish
Panama City CRITICA in
Spanish
1900
Panama City DIALOGC) SOCIAL in
Spanish
0
Panama City EL SIGLO in
Spanish
0
Panama City EXTRA in
Spanish
0
Panama City LA ESTRELLA DE PANAMA in
Spanish
6490
Panama City LA PRENSA in
Spanish
0
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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
Panama City EL SIGLO DOMINICAL in
Spanish
PERU
Lima Domestic Service in
Spanish
Lima Panamericana Television
Network in
Spanish
Lima Television Peruana in
Spanish
SPAIN
Madrid EFE in
Spanish
USSR
Moscow Radio Peace and Progress in
Spanish
Moscow Television Feed in
Spanish
Moscow in
Spanish to Latin America
Moscow in
Spanish to Cuba
VENEZUELA
Caracas Television Service in
Spanish
Caracas EL NACIONAL in
Spanish
Caracas EL UNIVERSAL in
Spanish
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
2480
0
1530
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PANAMA BUREAU PRODUCTION REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 1987 -- ANNEX
TOTALS FROM ROSET SOURCES
COLOMBIA
Bogota INRAVISION Television Cadena 1 in
Spanish
Bogota INRAVISION Television Cadena 2 in
Spanish
3,360
CUBA
Havana CUBAVISION Television in
Spanish 3,810
Havana EFE to EFE Madrid in
Spanish 840
Havana FRENSA LATINA in
Spanish 4,600
MEXICO
Mexico City Red Nacional 13 IMEVISION Television in
Spanish 21,950
Mexico City XEW Television Network in
Spanish 4,620
Mexico City XHTV Television in
.,pan i. sh 330
Mexico-,o City CERIGUA in
Span.i.sh 380
Mexico City ENFOPRENSA in
.:,pan i.sh 690
NICARAGUA
Managua ANN in
:span i.sh
Managua FRENSA LATINA in
Spanish to PRENSA LATINA Havana
3,070
PERU
Lima Domestic Service in
Spanish 500
Lima Panamericana Television Network in
Spanish 1,790
Lima Television Peruana in
Spanish 8,720
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USSR
Moscow Television Feed in
Spanish
VFNFZTIFLA
Caracas Television Service in
Spanish
1,530
57,69C)
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