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There are special restrictions about demonstrations in front of embassies

A small protest in a sensitive area
photos and story by Eric Jackson

Almost everywhere in the world, governments are uptight about demonstrations in front of foreign diplomatic missions. International law calls for the protection of diplomats, and nobody wants to embarrass their friends or needlessly provoke their adversaries.

So when a new little citizens' group calling itself the Movimiento por la Dignidad Nacional decided that the Spanish-based multinational utility company Union Fenosa is too rapacious and that the Panamanian government ought to renationalize the power industry, that was a trifle to both the goverments of Panama and Spain --- until they called for a Valentine's Day picket line at the Spanish Embassy.

Back in Madrid, Prime Minister Zapatero wouldn't like the left-leaning voters who voted for his Socialist government treated to scenes of one of Spain's embassies being picketed because of the real or perceived abuses of some Gallego capitalists. Moreover, the Spanish war with its Basque foes in ETA is not over and concerns about terrorist attacks are always a concern for Spain's government, wherever it goes. So the Spanish government didn't want this demonstration to happen.

Spain is also one of Panama's most generous foreign aid donors and an important trading partner, so the Panamanian government was not thrilled either. Especially not when the folks spreading the word about it included some of the ruling PRD's most persistent critics.

Thus police cordoned off the area in front of the embassy, checked the ID of journalists, and warned potential protesters that no demonstration would be tolerated. A number of people came and then left after being approached by police. Eventually, however, a small group converged just the other side of the yellow tape, made their point and went home. There was no violence and there were no arrests. There were as many reporters as protesters.

But a raw nerve had been touched.

"People are intimidated," said law professor Miguel Antonio Bernal, conversing here with a couple of the ladies who ignored the warning and manifested their displeasure with Union Fenosa

The press corps was on hand to hear the complaints

To the extent that its embassy wasn't shown in the background, count this as a diplomatic point for Spain

Just because you shout doesn't mean that governments hear. But maybe if this small band of protesters started to spread Gallego jokes about the Galicia-based Union Fenosa, the ridicule would force the company to take them seriously.