I was reading the "Letters" section and was amazed that someone thought that your paper was "anti white." I must say that in reading your articles it never occurred to me that you were black or white or whatever. I thought your views represented the nation as a whole and you seem to be fair to all ethnic groups. Keep up the good work.

I have been married to a fine Panamanian lady for 36 years. There will always be a place in my heart for Panama. It hurts to see what is happening to such a beautiful country since the turnover of the Canal Zone.

Robert (Bob) Batkins
San Antonio, Texas

I was very surprised at the Letter by Shanon Defoe claiming The Panama News is anti-white and anti-American. I am both white and American (meaning US) and do not see any of that in The Panama News.

She may be right that the US cares more for Panama than China (meaning Beijing) does. But Taiwan, or Republic of China, is clearly more generous with Panama than the US does.

Panamanians do immigrate to Taiwan. Heavy immigration is reported from poorer Central American countries, however. It was cause for concern for Beijing that Taiwan offered Taiwanese Citizenship to Central Americans if agreeing to do military service in Taiwan's (Republic of China) Army and to lend their services in case of a Red Invasion. For Shanon Defoe's surprise, many did sign and got the Taiwan citizenship in exchange for joining their military service and acquirying their military obligations against Red China. Panama does not have these figures, however.

On the other hand, Defoe is apparently blind to the fact that our US Government has forced policies in Central America and other developing countries that are harmful to these countries and their poor. See for instance the OECD countries pressing Panama to sign a Fiscal Data Interchange Law that would bring many Panamanian banks out of business and severely curtail the Colon Free Zone ability to compete with European and US-based Commercial Free Zones. It will also do away with sociedades anónimas (private corporations) which are however sold for as little as $100 in Delaware, whose confidentiality US laws strongly protect.

My country, the USA, in co-participating with the OECD countries, has done great harm to Panama and other countries by pressing it to sign anti-Panamanian laws.

To believe that it's non-whites or non-Jews in the USA who are doing this harm to Panama is wishful thinking.

Gayle Pantaleón, USA

I finally was able to read your commentary on our restaurant (Il Leone D'Oro). I would like to thank you for your kind words and most of all thank you for the opportunity of extending our market beyond Panama's borders.

I also received a copy of the Panama News Special Edition. A FANTASTIC magazine! The review of Luis Arteaga's 15th Anniversary was excellent. You were able with mere words to recreate the feeling that expelled from the very walls of our establishment. That night was filled with great nostalgia and passion for the lyrics and music they sang and played. Your review was so well written, I shed tears. Your writing and editorial staff are excellent! Keep up the good work!

On a side note, I hope, with all my heart, that we of Panama will be able to stop that legislature. To me, it is just a form of censorship. Is it possible in the new millenium we are still fighting for our right of freedom of expression?

Just another thing --- last one, I promise: a letter was published on your website about "anti-American" sentiment in The Panama News. I would like to say why I would be a little upset with the American Ego. "...If other countries believe in individual liberty, in free enterprise and free trade, in religious freedom, in democracy, then they are eating the fruits of the American Order. And this order can be truly secure only when all those who benefit from it stand in its defense. Those abroad who love liberty cannot watch this war as if it were a horror movie, wondering how it will end..." (World View section, Newsweek, Sept. 24, 2001) Now, I realize it was right after September 11 and the writer was emotional for his country and his people. But countries that are democratic (or trying really hard to be anyway) are not "eating fruits of the AMERICAN ORDER." I believe that the Americans were the first to use the political idea of democracy but truly it was an English philosopher who believed the people should be in power not royalty. Let's put the AMERICAN ORDER in check. I do not believe that this particular newspaper is anti-American but anti-ego.

Tabitha Martel

Your Excellencies,

I would like to present my compliments to Her Excellencies Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Ombudsman Desierto and have the honor to inform them that the proposed Bilateral Agreement is not anomalous per se as it is in compliance with International Maritime Organization‘s Circular 950 for establishing arrangements for the recognition of certificates under Regulation I/10. The anomalous part of this proposed Bilateral Agreement is the nomination /designation of a company/person other than the Embassy/Consulate of Panama in Manila as "The Administration."

Please be informed that there are two contracting parties in the Bilateral Agreement – the Party which is to recognize the certificates ("The Administration") and the Party which is issuing the Certificates to be recognized ("Certificate Issuing Party"). I had to admit that I too was confused at first as to who is the party that will process and issue the Panama Seamen licenses because of the term "Certificate Issuing Party" because of the recognition of the Filipino seafarers certificates. Now, it is clear, it is "The Administration" that will process and issue the Panama Seamen licenses.

"The Administration" is the entity that will recognize the Filipino seafarers certificates issued by the Maritime Training Council as the "the Certificate Issuing Party" and "The Administration" will then process the Panama Seamen Licenses in turn based on the recognition of such certificates. As it is Panamanian Ambassador Escalona’s intention to legalize the Panama Seamen Licensing Scam, he had nominated a company or person as "The Administration" to evaluate and process the Panama Seamen Licenses instead of the Embassy/Consulate of Panama in Manila. Please note that "The Administration" is usually the Embassy/Consulate Office of the foreign government and as proof of this, I will send Her Excellencies copies of the Bilateral Agreement of the Philippines with other countries on STCW Recognition which are already in force as soon the Maritime Training Council sends me the documents.

Your Excellency President Moscoso does not need to inquire from POEA Director Tionloc as the proposed Bilateral Agreement will be forwarded either to your office or the Panama Maritime Authority and you can readily see the name of the company/person nominated or designated as "The Administration." Please advise the name of the company/person designated as "The Administration" as this holds the key to identifying Escalona’s partners in the licensing scam.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and Philippine Overseas Employment Seabase Director/ Maritime Training Council Executive Director Ramon Tionloc will try to facilitate the signing of this proposed Bilateral Agreement to legalize the Panama Seamen Licensing scam.

I would like to renew to Her Excellencies and Ombudsman Desierto the assurances of my highest consideration.

Grace Valencia Castro
Philippines

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