While in the U.S. signing the infamous U.S. Panama tax treaty, Panamanian officials met with homeland security chief Nepolitano to sign another agreement regarding security between the countries. Panama is kowtowing to whatever demands the U.S. makes in order to get the coveted free trade agreement. The U.S, has not guaranteed they will sign the FTA, only that they will consider it. Apparently the Panamanian government considers it of such great importance that it is willing to risk much in order to MAYBE get it. Although I don't know all of the details, I don't see much benefit to Panama for any of these deals so it must have more to do with getting the funding for the many infrastructure projects underway in the country. MAybe the wikileaks could shed some light on the subject. All of these changes are coming fast and furious and with little forewarning so hold on to your seats as it looks to be a wild and turbulent ride!
Machine translated from La Prensa,
Napolitano meets with leaders of the SICA
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| Janet Napolitano, Secretary of safety. PRESS / Maydée Romero1474738 |
ARCI OHIGGINIS JARAMILLO
[email protected]
In addition to signing an agreement with Panama for the exchange of passenger information, the Secretary of Homeland Security United States (U.S.), Janet Napolitano, met with the commissioners Presidential Chancellery Security Integration System (SICA) .
The meeting discussed the Regional Security Initiative for Central America (Carsi, for its acronym in English), which plans to invest $ 130 million in the region by the year 2011, in addition to $ 100 million that the Merida available for fiscal year 2009-2010 in the region.
Security Initiative for Central America would focus on preventing youth violence and strengthening the judicial and prison system. It is recalled that the Merida Plan focused on combating violence caused by gangs, and therefore more investment and support given to the police.
At the meeting, which lasted two hours, also attended Napolitano, Foreign Minister, Juan Carlos Varela, the security minister, Jose Raul Mulino, director of Customs, Gloria Moreno de Lopez, the secretary general of SICA, Juan Daniel German and commissioners of the agency security.
Although everything was handled in total secrecy, German described as "historic" in Panama carrying out of this first meeting of the Coordinating Council of Democratic Security in the countries of SICA. "There is a regional strategy on security and all countries agree to carry it out," he added.
The next security meeting of SICA will be in the "International Conference in support of Central American security strategy" to be held in 2011 in Haiti.
It is expected that this meeting of SICA member countries to develop an initiative to counter problems like drug trafficking and terrorism in the region.
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