PANAMA: PRESS FOCUS ON BACKLASH AGAINST US SANCTIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90G01353R001200060005-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 7, 2012
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: November 3, 1988
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/07: CIA-RDP90G01353RO01200060005-2
NIO for Latin America
Martin W. Roeber
HIO/LA 7E47 HQS
FOR
,-,,m 610 t, t~aEVtousS
h Against US Sanctions
NIC #03253-88
DALE
3 November, 1988
4C.
OFFICER'S I COMMENTS (Number each-comment to show from whom
INITIALS to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)
N6Vj9nj ~~~
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/07: CIA-RDP90GO1353R001200060005-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy ~RET Approved for Release 2012/08/07: CIA-RDP90GO1353RO01200060005-2 25X1
The Director of Central Intelligence
Washington, D.C. 20505
25X1
25X1
NIC #03253-88
National Intelligence Council 3 November 1988
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
VIA: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
FROM: Martin W. Roeber
National Intelligence Officer for Latin America
SUBJECT: PANAMA: Press Focus on Backlash Against US Sanctions
"anti-US feeling" in the country, and calling for more "selective" methods.
Opposition politicians from the Christian Democrats and the Panamenista
Party--the two most important opposition parties--were quoted this week as
characterizing the US sanctions as a "grave error" and warning of a growing
spread to date and the opposition knows this full well.
begin to try to position themselves in anticipation of the May 1989
scheduled elections, so criticism is likely to rise because of purely
domestic considerations as well. Although the possibility of growing
anti-US sentiment remains a concern, there is very little evidence of its
Even though the Christian Democrats and much of the opposition still
officially support the sanctions, there will undoubtedly be much more of
this sentiment voiced, especially after the US elections next week. There
is a widespread hope among opposition circles that the Reagan administration
will take forceful action to oust Noriega once the campaign is over. At the
same time, opposition circles from President Delvalle on down are convinced
that it will be necessary to prod the US--privately and publicly--in order
to prompt new measures. In addition, since opposition politicians will also
In the meantime, the sanctions continue to bite. Government arrearages
are mounting and for the first time Norieaa has cut back some of the
ersonal privileges. of senior officers.
priority.
in stores and restaurants to military accounts. If this is not a temporary
or narrowly based measure--further requirements for clarification have been
sent to the field--then it reflects possibly significant problems for
Noriega. The military payroll is only 8% of the government's wage bill and
the perquisites of mid- and senior-level officers have to be his top
Noriega will no longer allow officers to charge personal purchases
M rtin W. Roeber
25X1
25X1
zY ~.-
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/07: CIA-RDP9OGO1353ROO1200060005-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/07: CIA-RDP90G01353RO01200060005-2
SECRETI 25X1
NIC #03253-88
3 November 1988
SUBJECT: Press Focus on Backlash Against US Sanctions
DCI/NIO/LA:MWRoeber:bha(3Nov88)
Distribution:
Orig - DCI
1 - SA/ DC I
1 - DDCI
1 -.ER
2 - NI0/LA
SECRET 25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/07: CIA-RDP90G01353RO01200060005-2