MONTHLY REPORT -- PANAMA BUREAU -- SEPTEMBER 1988

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91-01355R000400120004-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 18, 2013
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: October 3, 1988
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/18: CIA-RDP91-01355R000400120004-9
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Monthly Report -- Panama Bureau it
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Chief, Operations Group
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779 EDITIONS
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/18: CIA-RDP91-01355R000400120004-9
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/18: CIA-RDP91-01355R000400120004-9
FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORNATION SERVICE
PANAMA BUREAU
DRAWER 927
APO NEAMI 34004
3 October 1988
MENDRANDLM FOR: Director, Foreign Broadcast Information Service
THROUGH Chief, Operations Group
SUBJECT Nbnthly Report -- Panama Bureau -- September 1988
I. GENERAL
As the Panamanian economy continued to deteriorate,
partially as a result of U.S. sanctions, the U.S. Government
initiated additional steps that reflect the continued tense
political climate. On 15 September, U.S. media reported that the
U.S. Embassy was reducing personnel by approximately 50 percent
in view of the ongoing situation and lack of contact between the
U.S. Government and Solis Palma regime. The U.S. Southern
Command had announced earlier that week that it was shortening
tours of duty for military personnel stationed in Panama.
II. OPERATIONS
A. Nbnitorial/Editorial
1. September could have been dubbed "Regional Speech Nbnth"
as the bureau covered several substantial discourses, beginning
with Nbxican President De la Nkdrid's traditionally
comprehensive state of the nation speech on 1 September and
ending with several speeches and news conferences at the Uhited
Nations by Panamanian "Minister in Charge of the Presidency"
NtInuel Solis Palma. Although Solis Palma was the most vocal
throughout the month, that perennial favorite, Daniel Ortega,
also contributed more than his general monthly allotment.
Several other regional leaders, including Oscar Arias, Rodrigo
Borja, and Alan Garcia, also contributed speeches of interest.
2. In what seems to be becoming a bimonthly event,
the latest coup in Haiti saw us providing substantial press
agency coverage to supplement the Herculean efforts of Key West's
contractor in Haiti.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/18: CIA-RDP91-01355R000400120004-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/18: CIA-RDP91-01355R000400120004-9
B. Lateral Services
Taking full advantage of the capabilities of our current
lateral services software, editor worked with System
and Communications Supervisors
to streamline LSL maintenance
procedures. First-line responsibility for entering
headquarters-initiated LSL changes was transferred to the
Communications Section. Because all bureau packages have been
"built" from standard FBIS LSL packages, each change entered into
the computer is automatically registered on both the standard
FBIS package and bureau-specific package.
TWo hardcopy printouts one containing all FBIS LSL
packages and AIG's and one containing bureau-specific LSL
packages and AIG's -- are kept in notebooks at the editorial
desk. After changes are entered into the computer, the
Communications Section provides the staff LSL officer with a
replacement printout of the revised package(s) and, if
appropriate, AIG (5). Each printed page contains the date of the
most recent change and initials of the operator who made the
change. Although the initial restructuring of packages and
printing was time consuming, the effort has greatly facilitated
and expedited LSL maintenance and provided editors with constant
access to completely updated headquarters and bureau LSL's.
Administrator
C. Technical
1. Following their disownment by headquarters' ERB, the
bureau's two laser printers were declared too "uptown" for LAN
service and detailed to administrative work. The less flashy but
no less efficient Hewlett-Packard "Ruggedwriter" dot matrix
printers stepped in and were performing efficiently and
inexpensively at month's end.
2. Bureau technicians successfully installed a repaired
zipper boot on one of the 9.2-meter satellite dishes.
3. The following accountable property was purchased
locally:
a. One Sony Radio Cassette Recorder, Nbdel WA-8000, Serial
No.91811. Uhit Price $ 303.45
b. One Samsung Video Cassette Recorder, Nbdel VR2640,
Serial No.8030500090. Uhit Price: $ 220.00
c. Four Samsung Video Cassette Recorders, Nbdel VR 2000,
Serial Nos: 8040100109, 8040100738, 8040100915, 8040100677. Uhit
Price: $ 220.00
d. TWo Dehumidifiers, Whirlpool, Nbdel NDL AD0202XM
Uhit Price: $ 198.85
STAT
STAT
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/18: CIA-RDP91-01355R000400120004-9
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/18: CIA-RDP91-01355R000400120004-9
e. Two Dishwashers, Whirlpool, Nbdel 6000, Serial No.
F81011407. Uhit Price: 430.95
f. One Radio Cassette Recorder, Mitsubishi, Nbdel TX-67,
Serial No. 18975. Uhit Price: $ 90.00
g. Io carts for bureau printers. Uhit Price: $ 45.00
h. Eight Computer Desks, Armstrong, Nbdel 250-001. Uhit
Price: $ 45.00
1. One 19" Sharp W. Uhit Price: $ 275.00
j. One 44GL Garbage Tank. Uhit Price: $ 96.60
k. Eight Brass Lamps. Total Price: $ 483.00
1. Four Chairs for bureau's dining room. Total Price:
$ 224.00
mi. Two Paintings for the administrative office. Total
Price: $ 89.90
n. Four Lamps. Total Price: $ 285.03
o. Two battery-powered wall clocks. Total Price: $ 53.00
p. Two Ceiling Fans for offbase apartments. Total Price:
$ 93.93
III. 1DN1NISTRATION
A. Personnel
1. Communications Section Deputy Chief
was promoted to FBN-7 on 11 September and named chief of
the Communications Section.
2. Senior communications operator was
promoted to FBN-6 on 11 September and named deputy chief of the
Communications Section.
3. Editor-trainee
TDY 18 September.
arrived in Panama on
STAT
STAT
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/18: CIA-RDP91-01355R000400120004-9
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/18: CIA-RDP91-01355R000400120004-9
B. 5uilding And Grounds
1. Contractor Taller Raulito completed painting of the
Internet Antenna and ROSET cable casing.
2. Contractor El Cedro began the construction of a shed in
the ROSET area.
3. Contractor Cedeno Choy & Associates began the
installation of a security door for the bureau's warehouse.
4. Contractor Abrego replaced the floor covering in the
bureau's kitchen.
IV. VISITS
A. The bureau chief took part in the annual bureau chiefs
conference in Reston, Virginia, 19 - 29 September.
B. Norm Mathews, chief of the Southern Command's Staff
Support Office, visited the bureau with staff officers Dan
Harrell and Narcela Edwards on 22 September for a briefing and
tour.
Actin Bureau
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/18: CIA-RDP91-01355R000400120004-9