What To Do With Noriega
By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The other big story that will be continuing until at least September 9th is the pending release of Manuel Noriega from a prison cell in Miami where he has been held for the past 17 years on drug trafficking charges. France has asked for Noriega to be extradited there to serve time on a money laundering conviction, and Panama has (officially, anyway) asked to have him returned to Panama to do time for three convictions. The US has indicated that they intend to send Noriega to France (whew) but his case will go before a judge in the US who will rule on Noriega's request to be returned to Panama. On Friday the Estrella published an old letter dated from 1987 that supposedly shows ties between Noriega and Panama's current president Martin Torrijos, ties which Torrijos has denied. No matter what happens, the evocation of the Noriega specter causes consternation among local politicians. This issue will continue to play until it gets resolved, one way or the other.
Copyright 2007 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. As usual, go ahead and use whatever you want as long as you credit the source. Salud.
