Editor's Comment: (Serious Bias Alert)) The election of Pedro Miguel Gonzalez to the Presidency of Panama's National Assembly, should it occur, should be seen as a tremendous slap in the face to the United States of America. Make that a tremendous bitch-slap. Gonzalez is a Deputy in the National Assembly, a position which requires relatively few popular votes and is not a position of national responsibility. As a Deputy, Gonzalez represents the people of his district and his influence is limited by the rest of the body of the National Assembly. While Gonzalez was acquitted of murder charges in the terrorist assassination of US Army soldier Zak Hernandez, the government of the United States lamented the acquittal, charging judicial tampering and the wielding of political influence in the trial. The AK-47 used to murder Zak Hernandez was found under Pedro Miguel Gonzalez' bed, but according to the Panamanian justice system he's innocent and (probably) quite literally got away with murder. Now, the National Assembly will be voting on 30 August 2007 to elect a new President. The PRD has gone a long way to change their stripes under the administration of Martin Torrijos, and Panama is emerging as the destination of choice for investment, tourism, and economic growth. Why (in the name of God) they would want to push Pedro Miguel Gonzalez into a position of such high visibility and prestige is, quite literally, beyond my ability to comprehend. And let it be known, I am vividly biased on this subject, based on the fact that when I was in the service of the United States Air Force I drove the same road where Zak Hernandez was assassinated in cold blood on many occasions. And when I did so I was In uniform, in a Hummer, on duty, just like Zak was. He was murdered because he was a soldier in uniform and in the service of the United States of America, and he was targeted for murder in protest over the upcoming visit of President George Bush to Panama, his first visit after the Just Cause invasion. Terrorism is terrorism, period. Un-friggin-believable. Gonzalez in charge of the Assembly and Noriega back on the ground (maybe.) Hey, wanna buy a condo, because mine might be for sale.

elección se realizará el 30 de agosto.

Se calienta carrera por el control de la AsambleaLA PRENSA/Jorge Fernández

ASPIRANTE. Pedro Miguel González busca el consenso, pero hay varios candidatos en su partido.898231

Leonardo Floreslflores@prensa.com

El diputado Pedro Miguel González partió por delante en la carrera por la presidencia del Palacio Justo Arosemena. Pero el pasado lo persigue.

El jueves logró reunir a 34 de los 45 miembros de la oficialista bancada del Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD) en la Asamblea Nacional.

González, que cuenta con el respaldo del actual presidente, Elías Castillo, fue absuelto –en Panamᖠpor el homicidio del soldado puertorriqueño Zack Hernández. El Gobierno estadounidense prefiere guardar silencio.

Sus colegas Rogelio Paredes y Leandro Ávila, quienes también han manifestado públicamente sus intenciones de presidir la Asamblea, dejaron claro que no han desistido a sus aspiraciones tras conocer las versiones de que González había logrado el consenso para ocupar la presidencia de la Asamblea.

Aquel que ocupe la Presidencia, aparte de devengar los 7 mil dólares mensuales en salarios como diputado, recibirá adicionalmente 6 mil dólares en dietas y mil en combustible.

Discuss   Add this link to...  Bury
Add to:                  |   Bookmarks