MONTHLY REPORT--PANAMA BUREAU--JUNE 1987

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-00733R000100100007-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 18, 2012
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: July 6, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP88-00733R000100100007-6
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
SUBJECT: (Optional)
Monthly Report -- Panama Bureau
FROM: EXTENSION NO.
DATE
Chief, Operations Group June 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.)
Chief, Operations Group
Z Z
Chief, Ei PS
1)/Director, FBIS
- --- ------ - - - _ _-- - ----
s.
- -
--
11
Director, FBIS
6.
PO-RA/EFPS
C/ESG
B.
C/FED
~I
J1
I
C/ADD
_
J
10.
C/HED
Chief, Admin Staff
12.
Chief Analysis Group
fl'
13.
Admin Staff
14.
15.
Exec. Reg.
FORM 610 USEEDITI PREONS
I-79 VIOUS
STAT
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FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE
PANAMA BUREAU
DRAWER 927
APO MIAMI 34004
6 July 1987
MPA-7012
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Foreign Broadcast Information Service
THROUGH : Chief, Operations Group
SUBJECT : Monthly Report -- Panama Bureau -- June 1987
A. Comments by the recently retired Panamanian Defense Forces (PDF)
chief of staff implicating PDF head General Manuel Noriega in corruption
and election fraud ignited a month of protests in Panama and focused
attention on the Panamanian Government. Following antigovernment
demonstrations of a scope not seen in 20 years, the government instituted
a state of emergency on 11 June and censored all opposition media. U.S.
media reporting on the situation, specifically the MIAMI HERALD and the
two CNN stations available in Panama, were also temporarily suspended.
Official State Department reaction to the situation and the subsequent
Senate resolution urging democracy in Panama set off a wave of
progovernment and anti-U.S. demonstrations along with a call for the
ouster of U.S. Ambassador Arthur Davis. In fact, the Panamanian
Government lifted the state of emergency on 29 June just in time for a
violent military-sponsored progovernment demonstration at the U.S.
Embassy. Demonstrators pelted the embassy with rocks and paint balloons
and damaged several nearby U.S. mission buildings, including the consulate
and USIS. In addition, several cars identified from license plates or
military stickers as belonging to U.S. personnel were damaged or
destroyed. At month's end, U.S.-Panamanian relations remain extremely
tense.
B. In addition to the substantial operational demands placed on the
bureau by developments in Panama, the long-fought battle to begin Internet
transmissions suffered another setback when on 30 June the Panamanian
Government arbitrarily ordered Intercomsa, the COMSAT subsidiary
responsible for operating Internet, not to operate the system. Thus, the
Internet transmission (NHK feed of BBC's "Six o'Clock News") we had begun
on 29 June was stopped, pending further technical and legal discussions.
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP88-00733R000100100007-6
A. Editorial/Monitorial
1. After an evening shift of covering initial Panamanian
opposition reaction to the recentl revived charges against the
government, senior editor was at home watching Panamanian STAT
television when at 0115 he heard a brief announcement that a state of
emergency h red throughout Panama. immediately notified STAT
chief e and together the OD ene a bureau, calling in STAT
monitor and teletypist . Before STAT
arrived, however, had already translated t e state of emergency S1 Al
declaration and had begun an open speaker watch. As a result, both the
embassy and the U.S. Southern Command received first official word of the
state of emergency from FBIS.
2. Because of the important role opposition media played in the
unfolding Panamanian crisis, U.S. mission offices depended heavily on
Panama Bureau reporting, particularly up until the Panamanian Government
declared the state of emergency and censored opposition media. During the
initial days of the crisis, editors were in phone contact with embassy and
military consumers several times a day. To ensure complete coverage, the
bureau added two midnight shifts, on 10 and 11 June, to cover the first
two nights under the state of emergency.
3. Panama Bureau's ability to cover Peruvian radio and television
live from ROSET during a mid-June cabinet crisis in Peru helped promote
another look at the best way FBIS could ensure timely coverage of Peru,
particularly in the event of a crisis. At Paraguay Bureau's initiative,
it was decided that Panama Bureau would assume primary coverage
responsibility of Peru until Paraguay Bureau's second ROSET, now scheduled
for early FY88, became operational. Panama Bureau assumed primary
coverage responsibility for Peru on 29 June. Paraguay Bureau is retaining
its contractor in Lima and coverage of the Peruvian press.
4. A 4 1/2-hour speech by Fidel Castro on 24 June detailing two
recent personnel problems -- the corruption case of Luis Orlando Dominguez
and the defection of General Rafael del Pino -- was jointly covered with
Key West Bureau. Key West provided FYI coverage and texted the first hour
of the speech, and we texted the remaining 3 1/2 hours. Because the
speech was not carried by Cuban media monitorable at Panama Bureau, we
texted our portion of the speech from a phonepatch prearranged with Key
West. Reception of the patch was poor in places, and Key West was forced
to file fills to much of the portion of the speech Panama Bureau texted.
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP88-00733R000100100007-6
B. Communications
On 8 June the bureau's= primary communications circuit was upgraded STAT
from 150 to 300 baud.
C. Cruising
1. The bureau's signal analysis antenna's control system remained
inoperative throughout the month, and cruising use of the antenna was
restricted to the 24.5W Intelsat. We were able to provide some
flexibility by running a coaxial cable from Main Radio to the analysis
console. This allowed us access to the radio frequency signals from each
of the other four operational antennas. Despite some loss in signal DB
and some confusion in equipment patching, the temporary system worked well
and provided bureau cruisers and technicians with good experience.
2. We observed and sampled a new Mexico City television transmission,
XHTV Televison Canal 4, over the 113.5W Morelos satellite. The
television's newscast at 0200-0300 GMT has replaced the 0300-0330 GMT
Imevision newscast on bureau coverage.
3. Throughout most of the month, the cruising section conducted a
round-the-clock survey of Nicaraguan radios to provide detailed
programming and broadcast behavior.
D. Technical
1. During the month, we received the B-Mac video encoding
equipment to be used with the Internet system The B-Mac equipment was
installed b from Comsat Labs. also provided STATE
instruction on operation and maintenance.
2. Also in conjunction with Internet operation, we received one
Merlin Television Standards Converter. The unit has been checked out and
appears to have solved problems we had originally experienced in
transmitting NTSC video from one television signal (Lima television) and
from video recorders through the B-Mac system.
3. On 1 July, bureau technicians installed a repaired elevation
drive motor on the bureau's signal analysis antenna. After receiving the
necessary parts from headquarters, we were able to have the motor repaired
locally. Installation was not an easy task, considering that the motor
weighs 400 lbs and had to be installed 30 ft above ground.
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4. During the Army's Department of Engineering and Housing's
installation of the new power line, the cables leading to two of the
bureau's rhombic antennas were accidentally cut. Steps have been taken to
repair the cables.
5. The following accountable property was received from
headquarters:
a. One receiver W/J model 8718, Serial No. 1134. Requisition
No. 0532-87146-712. Unit Price: $4,646.00
b. One Multimeter Digital Fluke, Model 8026B, Serial No.
425029. Requisition No. 0532-87089-707-1F. Unit Price: $219.00
c. One oscilloscope, Simpson model 452 dual trace, Serial No.
01257. Requisition No. 0532-87093-708. Unit Price: $873.05
d. One quartz watchman's clock, w/carrying case, Model 50-3,
Serial No. 82004690. Requisition No. 0532-87120-008-iF. Unit Price:
$538.00
A. Personnel
officer. In this capacity,) (will have first-line supervisory
responsibility for communications personnel and issues.
2. Recent events in Panama have demonstrated a need for editors
living on base to be prepared to assume as many functions as possible in
operating the bureau in the event circumstances prevent local Derma
from having access to the bureau. Thus, communications chief
has begun training editors in how to punch and send material over the
bureau's communications circuits.
3. Interviews continue for the bureau's newly created logistics
specialist position. We expect to decide on candidate by the end of July.
B. Building and Grounds
STAT
STAT
STAT
The bureau chief's office has been remodeled to make room for a
secretarial/reception area. Contractor performed the STAT
construction work.
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1.
Central America Joint Intelligence Task Force to the bureau on 10 June
a briefing and orientation.
2. Major Henry Black, Captain Juan Fuentes, and Staff Sergeant
Michael Thompson, USSOUTHCOM J-3, to the bureau on 18 June for briefing
and orientation.
STAT
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP88-00733R000100100007-6
Panama Bureau Production Report for June 1987
I. TOTALS FROM ALL SOURCES:
TOTAL PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH: 523300
TOTAL NON-PUBLISHABLE WORDAGE FILED DURING MONTH: 34290
TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLISHABLE ITEMS FILED DURING MONTH: 1131
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
II. INPUT OF REGULAR COVERAGE: 12115.00 76590.00 220.00
(minutes or issues per week) min. min. issues
III. OUTPUT FROM ALL SOURCES:
(publishable words per month)
ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires REUTER in
Spanish
CHILE
Santiago Television Service in
Spanish
Santiago Televison Nacional Chile
Network in
Spanish
CLANDESTINE
Clandestine La Voz Popular in
Spanish to Guatemala 830
Clandestine Radio Farabundo Marti in
Spanish to El Salvador 2890
Clandestine Radio Venceremos in
Spanish to El Salvador 11270
COLOMBIA
Bogota Cadena Radial Super in
Spanish
Bogota Emisoras Caracol Network in
Spanish
Bogota INRAVISION Television Cadena 1
Spanish
Bogota INRAVISION Television Cadena 2
in
Spanish
Bogota Radio Cadena Nacional in
Spanish
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP88-00733R000100100007-6
Bogota EL SIGLO in
Spanish
Bogota EL TIEMPO in
Spanish
COSTA RICA
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 in
Spanish
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
5310
130
510
1740
0
CUBA
Havana International Service in
Quechua 980
Havana International Service in
Spanish 44650
Havana Domestic Service in
Spanish 23350
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
English
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
ECUADOR
Quito Radio Quito in
Spanish
Quito Voz de los Andes in
Spanish
EL SALVADOR
San Salvador Canal Doce Television in
Spanish 3090
San Salvador Canal Seis Television in
Spanish 6280
San Salvador Domestic Service in
Spanish 12920
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP88-00733R000100100007-6
BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
San Salvador La Vos Panamericana in
Spanish
San Salvador Radio Cadena Sonora in
Spanish
San Salvador Radio Cadena YSKL in
Spanish
San Salvador Radio Cadena YSU in
Spanish
San Salvador Television Naoional in
Spanish
0
630
8530
4090
460
San Salvador DIARIO LATINO in
Spanish
380
San Salvador EL DIARIO DR HOY in
Spanish
0
San Salvador EL MUNDO in
Spanish
1830
San Salvador LA NOTICIA in
Spanish
730
San Salvador LA PRENSA GRAFICA in
Spanish
1370
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 Domestic Service 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
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BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
HONDURAS
Tegucigalpa Cadena Audio Video in
Spanish 2130
Tegucigalpa Radio America in
Spanish 2190
Tegucigalpa Televisora Hondurena in
Spanish 0
Tegucigalpa Vos de Honduras Network in
Spanish 6890
San Pedro Sula LA PRENSA in
Spanish
San Pedro Sula TIEMPO in
Spanish
Tegucigalpa EL HERALDO.in
Spanish
Tegucigalpa LA TRIBUNA in
Spanis'h
MEXICO
Mexico City Red Nacional 13 IMEVISION
Television in
Spanish 2410
Mexico City XEW Television Network in
Spanish 1190
Mexico City XHTV Television in
Spanish 2200
Mexico City CERIGUA in
Spanish
Mexico City 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
NICARAGUA
Managua International Service in
Spanish
Managua Domestic Service in
Spanish
1960
2110
1720
410
1090
920
0
1180
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BROAD- PRESS PUBLI-
CASTS AGENCIES CATIONS
Managua Radio Noticias in
Spanish 3460
Managua Radio Sandino in
Spanish 18790
Managua Sistema Sandinista Television
Network in
Spanish 4110
Managua ANN Diplomatic Information
Service in
Spanish 0
Managua ANN in
Spanish 11750
Managua NOTISAL in
Spanish 0
Managua NOTISAL-SALPRESS in
Spanish 0
Managua PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish to PRENSA LATINA Havana 3160
Managua BARRICADA in
Spanish
Managua EL NUEVO DIARIO in
Spanish
PANAMA
Panama City Cadena Exitosa in
Spanish
910
Panama City Cirouito RPC
Television in
Spanish
15670
Panama City Domestic Service in
Spanish
24990
Panama City Panavision Television in
Spanish
3250
Panama City Radio Continente in -
Spanish
22820
Panama City Radio Mundial in
Spanish
3310
Panama City Radio Uno Soberana in
Spanish
5730
Panama City Telemetro Television in
Spanish
3660
Panama City Television Service in
Spanish
0
Panama City Televisora Nacional in
Spanish
11620
Panama City ACAN in
Spanish
Panama City CRITICA in
Spanish
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BROAD-
CASTS
PRESS PUBLI-
AGENCIES CATIONS
Panama City DIALOOO SOCIAL in
Spanish
0
Panama City EL SIGLO in
Spanish
1240
Panama City EXTRA in
Spanish
670
Panama City LA ESTRELLA DE PANAMA in
Spanish
13730
Panama City LA PRENSA in
Spanish
7350
Panama City LA REPUBLICA DOMINICAL
Spanish
in
0
Panama City LA REPUBLICA in
Spanish
4660
Panama City MATUTINO in
Spanish
8190
Panama City QUIUBO GRAFICO in
Spanish
0
Panama City STAR AND HERALD in
English
560
Panama City THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC in
English
0
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
VENEZUELA
Caracas Television Service in
Spanish
Caracas EL NACIONAL in
Spanish
Caracas EL UNIVERSAL in
Spanish
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP88-00733R000100100007-6
PANAMA BUREAU PRODUCTION REPORT FOR JUNE 1987 --
TOTALS FROM ROSET SOURCES
COLOMBIA
Bogota INRAVISION Television Cadena 1 in
Spanish
CUBA
Havana PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish
MEXICO
Mexico City XEW Television Network in
Spanish
Mexico City Red Nacional IMEVISION Television in
Spanish
Mexico City XHTV-Television in
Spanish
Mexico City CERIGUA in
Spanish
Mexico City ENFOPRENSA in
Spanish
NICARAGUA
Managua ANN in
Spanish
Managua PRENSA LATINA in
Spanish to PRENSA LATINA Havana
PERU
Lima Television Peruana in
Spanish
Lima Panamericana Television Network in
Spanish
SPAIN
Madrid EFE in
Spanish
VENEZUELA '
Caracas Television Service in
Spanish
3,210
5,900
1,190
2,410
2,200
1,340
11,750
3,160
1,200
2,910
36,960
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/18: CIA-RDP88-00733R000100100007-6