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Above and below we see signs of a crowded PRD primary field, which will be sorted out on August 10 when the party chooses its candidates for representantes, mayors and legislators. The photos are by Eric Jackson.

Meanwhile in the presidential race:

• Cambio Democratico has held its party convention and to nobody's surprise chosen Ricardo Martinelli as its presidential candidate;

• Guillermo Endara stayed away from a Fundemujer candidates' forum, arguing that such tax-exempt non-governmental organizations shouldn't be involved in politics. Martín Torrijos, Ricardo Martinelli and José Miguel Alemán all attended the forum;

• Martín Torrijos has blasted the publication of an old document indicating that his father, the late General Omar Torrijos, knew of the torture and killing of Arnulfista guerrillas in the wake of the 1968 coup, calling it a smear against both his father and himself;

• José Miguel Alemán has promised that if he's elected he'll repeal the "gag laws" often used to harass the press;

• MOLIRENA party boss Maco Rosas wants to be his party's running mate on Alemán's ticket, but intra-party rival Arturo Vallarino has suggested the more popular Guillermo Ford instead. However, Ford said he wouldn't run unless the party unites to support him, which isn't going to happen;

• The Liberal Nacional Party is embroiled in a three-way dispute about its 2004 presidential alliance. President Moscoso says she's confident that the Liberals will go into the election allied with the Arnulfistas, but some party members want to support Martín Torrijos as they did in 1999 and another faction would back Guillermo Endara; and

• Guillermo Endara announced that his running mates will be chosen in December, which gives plenty of time for the maneuvering within small parties that may or may not back his candidacy to take place.

Also in this section:
Panama News Briefs
US charges against Anderson echo here
On the campaign trail

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