Panama Seeks Removal from France's Blacklist
The parameters and conditions under which Panama might be removed from a blacklist of "tax havens" prepared by the Government of France, led the National Assembly's Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by lawmaker Francisco Aleman, to summon Panama's ambassador to France, Henry Faruup. Aleman said he was concerned because in order for Panama to be removed from the blacklist would require the country to turn over a series of sensitive information that actually is linked to the domestic financial sector. "We are concerned about the situation because in order to be removed from this blacklist there is considerable pressure on Panama to deliver the information," said the lawmaker from the 8-6 district. The lawmaker said Panama's inclusion France's blacklist is a concern because "it's the one that affects us most." "We will ask the ambassador to France to present to the Foreign Relations Committee a more precise and detailed report on what Panama would have to do in order to be removed from the blacklist," he said. (La Critica)
Editor's Comment: Ah, economic pressure. How about this one - "Ships to or from France can't go through the Panama Canal until you take us off of your damn list..." Ponder that for a minute. Panama is not one to mess with when it comes to playing games of economic pressure. They have a big, huge baseball bat on their shoulder that they just might decide to use one day.
