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Panama America, Panama

Manuel Noriega: Let

the French Have Him

 

"I would prefer that the dictator complete his ten years in an actual jail with bars in front of his face and without the prerogatives that would be afforded him in his own country, which he so gravely injured, denigrated and nearly destroyed."

 

By Julio E. Linares Franco

 

Translated By Barbara Howe

 

August 31, 2007

 

Panama - Panama America - Original Article (Spanish)

It would seem that doubts about where Manuel Antonio Noriega will go when he completes his sentence in the United States are being dispelled. What I find inconceivable is the political commotion all of this has created, when the most convenient thing for our nation would be for this gentleman to fulfill his sentence.

 

If he came to Panama, it’s clear that his crimes would go unpunished. The now-governing party, the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), supports him. The National Assembly, dominated by the PRD, has left open the possibility that he could serve out his sentence under house arrest so he can enjoy life and play with his grandsons. If you doubt this, check into the status of the former manager of the National Bank [Rafael Arosemena] and collaborator of the dictatorship, who, after being declared guilty of appropriating millions from the Treasury, now enjoys a gilded exile in Mexico. He arrives to Panama on a private jet to enjoy his ill-gotten fortune with his loved ones by his side, thanks to a penal institution called “house for jail" [house arrest].

 

Independent of the political cost to the governing party that the arrival of Noriega could represent, there are many things that in the end, unite Noriega with the PRD. And the big loser would undoubtedly be the Panamanian people, most of who didn't live through the excesses of the dictatorship. It is they - fooled by demagogic sloganeering - who would prefer to group themselves with “team Marin” [President Martín Torrijos] without understanding the consequences. One only needs to remember how the President of the Republic reacted when a supposed letter signed by the ex-dictator was published about an apparent donation that was passed to him [Torrijos ] - as well as for a car that was supposedly a gift. Imagine what will happen is that gentleman [Noriega] begins to sing - whether they be truths, half-truths, lies or realities …

 

[Editor's Note: General Omar Torrijos was a Panamanian army officer and de-facto leader of Panama from 1968 to 1981 - and was Manuel Noriega's mentor. Today, Omar Torrijos' illegitimate son, Martín Torrijos, is Panama's President, and victims of Noriega are concerned that the Torrijos government could seek some form of leniency for the former dictator, were he to return - See Photos, right].

 

In addition to this, it would be completely counter-productive a criminal to do as he prefers - which is to fulfill his sentence in the country where he committed his most infamous crimes (assassination, decapitation, etc.) - rather than where he is thought guilty of money laundering. I trust the sincerity of the opposition, which feels scandalized for not having forced the government to take the necessary steps to prepare for the arrival of the dictator. But although my nationalism is seen as half-hearted by some, I would prefer that the dictator complete his ten years in an actual jail with bars in front of his face and without the prerogatives that would be afforded him in his own country, which he so gravely injured, denigrated and nearly destroyed.

 

And what I would miss the least if he returned to Panama would be a pardon, so that Noriega's image and those of his closest collaborators could end up hanging in an Embassy, a Ministry or in the office of the President of the National Assembly.

 

CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH VERSION

 

SEE ALSO:

 

Europe1, France

A Criminal or Not,

Noriega Keeps His

Légion d'honneur

http://www.WORLDMEETS.US/europe1000001.shtml

 

La Prensa, Panama

France Asks Washington for

Custody of Manuel Noriega

http://www.WORLDMEETS.US/laprensapa000004.shtml

 

Critica, Panama

In U.S. and Panama, Noriega

is an Electoral 'Hot Potato' …

http://www.WORLDMEETS.US/critica000008.shtml

 

Critica, Panama

Manuel Noriega Fights to Keep

U.S. from Sending Him to France

http://www.WORLDMEETS.US/critica000007.shtml

 

La Prensa, Panama

Manuel Noreiga's Release

a 'Headache' for Panama

http://www.WORLDMEETS.US/laprensapa000005.shtml

 

Panama America, Panama

Panama Should Prosecute

Noriega and Learn the Truth

http://www.WORLDMEETS.US/laprensapa000005.shtml

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









































Captured: Panamanian strong man Manuel Noriega has his mug shot taken after his capture by American forces and his arrest on charges of drug trafficking, January 1989.

—BBC NEWS VIDEO: Manuel Noriega - to be released from a U.S. jail - is now likely headed to France to face charges on money laundering, Aug. 29, 00:01:37WindowsVideo

President George H.W. Bush and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Colin Powell: Some saw the invasion of Panama as a way of silencing Manuel Noriega, who had a history of working with the CIA and who was regarded as a loose cannon - especially given that a former CIA director that he had cooperated with was then in the White House.





General Omar Torrijos (above): A Panamanian army officer and de-facto leader of Panama from 1968 to 1981 - he was Manuel Noriega's mentor. Today, Omar Torrijos' illegitimate son, Martín Torrijos Espino (below), is President of Panama, and victims of Noriega are concerned that Torrijos Espino's government could seek some form of leniency for the former dictator if he returns.