Indian Chief Carrera Says Martinelli Disrespected Her

The General Chief of the Ngäbe-Bugle region, Silvia Carrera, during her speech before the full body of the National Assembly, after the creation of the Negotiating Committee of Bill 415, said how president Ricardo Martinelli had disrespected her. "(The president) disrespected me by saying 'I went to the region and now it's up to you to come here, and here I have helicopter ready and here we will prepare good food and good drink' that's disrespectful to me," stressed the cacica Carrera. Referring to the three people who were killed in the clashes last week in San Felix, Carrera wanted to know when their bodies would be delivered, and said the Government takes responsibility for the expenses of the families affected. Meanwhile, tempers were running high outside the legislative chamber where the Indians who were watching what was happening inside the National Assembly, demanding the cessation of breaks and the prompt enactment of a law. The Negotiating Committee is comprised of nine Deputies who are on the Commerce Committee of the National Assembly, representatives of the Indian Coordinating group, and four members of the executive branch, led by Government Minister Ricardo Jorge Fabrega and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Ricardo Quijano. (Panama America)