JIM CANNON'S PROPOSED VISIT TO PANAMA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-17-2-37-0
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 20, 2011
• Sequence Number: 37
• Publication Date: September 28, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/08/07 : LOC-HAK-17-2-37-0 3 C'
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MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
NSS, DOS Reviews Completed.
SECRET
MEMORANDUM FOR: DR. KISSINGER
FROM: ARNOLD NACHMANOFF fjA
SUBJECT: Jim Cannon's Proposed Visit to Panama
7114
ACTION
28 September 1971
Jim Cannon will be calling you, at the Governor's suggestion, to discuss the
possibility of a visit by Cannon to Panama. Cannon discussed this with me a
couple of days ago, and I did not encourage him for a number of reasons.
Cannon was approached last week by Schlomo Glicksberg, who had been a
financial advisor to General Torrijos a couple of years ago and had been in
contact with the Governor at that time. Glicksberg told Cannon that Torrijos
would like Governor Rockefeller to come to Panama, but if he were not able
to do so, he would like Cannon to come instead. According to Glicksberg,
abrzijcs was very unhappy about the course of the treaty negotiations, and
expected to have mass anti-U.S. demonstrations on the Panamanian National
T)av ne?l-nhpr 11. GithkEiberg 1(7F-'s QP4r1 +11=f Thrrijns wanted the manager (a
ranamanian named Moreno) ot the Chase Manhattan Bank of Panama removed
because of anti-Government activity. Glicksberg suggested thatibrrijos wanted
the Governor to understand the situation and perhaps be helpful in avoiding
problems with the U.S.
I told Cannon that I would be cautious, since Glicksberg may be promoting himself.
Our information is that Glicksberg fell out of favor with Torrijos last year, after
Torrijos learned that Glicksberg was skimming commissions on loans he helped
to obtain for the Government. Moreover, all of our reports indicate that Torrijos
is not at all unhappy with the course of the treaty negotiations, particularly in
light of recent developments which have been favorable to the Panamanian position.
Hence, either Glicksberg was misreportingTorrij os or reporting on an attitude that
no longer prevails. It also seemed to me that Glicksberg, who has a long record
as a shady operator, might be out to get the manager of the Chase Manhattan Bank
for personal reasons. I told Cannon that I would get additional information on 25X1
Glicksberg and Moreno, and then discuss the matter with you. Since then,
Glicksberg apparently got Torrijos to write Governor Rockefeller a letter confirm-
ing Glicksberg's invitation to Cannon (Tab A). 25X1
Moreno is playing ball with the 25X1
Panamanian Government, has served on a banking commission for the Govern-
ment, and has earned the respect of Government officials; hence, I continue
to susnert that this is just a personal move by Glicksberg. 25X1
25X1
Glicksberg fell out of favor withTorrijos, knows of no official
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/08/07: LOC-HAK-17-2-37-0
25X1
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/08/07: LOC-HAK-17-2-37-0
11P
SECRET
relationship between Glicksberg and the Government, but believes he may be
providing financial advice unofficially. I therefore continue to suspect that
Glicksberg is trying to exploit his past connections with Rockefeller to pro-
mote himself with Torrijos.
Cannon has indicated to me that he thinks lbrrijosmay be looking to the
Governor for some help in working toward the reestablishment of Constitutional
Government. You may recall that the Governor sent Joe Carlin.a to Panama a
couple of years ago to advise To3rijas on the establishment of political parties
and the holding of elections. This backfired when Carlina held press conferences
advertising his role. I do not think it would be useful for Cannon to get into the
business of political advice to Tarrijos, particularly at the present time when
Tonijos is engaged in a serious dispute with the church over the alleged murder
of a priest by the National Guard.
When Cannon contacts you, I suggest that you:
-- discourage him from going to Panama at this time, noting that there is
little that he can accomplish and his presence might complicate the
treaty negotiations which are currently progressing satisfactorily.
1+ .7" A's '-. want to turn -mpletely, you should suggest that if he
goes to Panama:
-- he should receive a briefing on the status of the treaty negotiations to
ensure that any discussions he has in Panama reinforces our position
rather than encourage Torrijos to think that he can induce greater con-
cessions through his contact with Governor Rockefeller;
-- he should avoid getting involved in advising Torrijos on his internal
political operations, either with regard to holding their elections or
the formation of political parties.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you take the line with Cannon as suggested above.
Approve*/ A/ Disapprove
Attachments: 25X1
Tab A --cc ltr Sent 20 Thrriics to Rockefeller
Tab B --
Tab C cc Memo to Governor fm Cannon dtd Sept. 17
SECRET
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/08/07: LOC-HAK-17-2-37-0