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### Viewing cable 09PANAMA236, PANAMA: MERIDA AND PUBLIC MESSAGING

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
09PANAMA236 | 2009-03-20 16:45 | 2011-04-11 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Panama

`

    VZCZCXYZ0002
    RR RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHZP #0236/01 0791645
    ZNR UUUUU ZZH
    R 201645Z MAR 09
    FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3173
    INFO RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 3796
    RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA 0786
    RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR 1529
    RUEHBE/AMEMBASSY BELIZE
    RUEHTG/AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA 0427
    RUEHMU/AMEMBASSY MANAGUA 0636
    RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE 1996

` `

    UNCLAS PANAMA 000236

    SENSITIVE
    SIPDIS

    FOR WHA (JACOBSON), WHA/CEN, WHA/PDA (DICKSON), INL

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR KCRM KPAO PM
    SUBJECT: PANAMA: MERIDA AND PUBLIC MESSAGING

    REF: PANAMA 176
    ¶1. (SBU) Summary: As we roll out the Merida Initiative in Panama,
    the Embassy has launched a public diplomacy campaign to inform
    Panamanians about the broad range of Merida programs, placing a
    special emphasis on crime prevention.  Media coverage of
    drug-related violence in Mexico has cast Merida in a negative light
    with Panamanian policymakers and the public.  Our public messages
    emphasize the U.S. role in supporting Panama's efforts to confront
    its fast-growing crime problem through community policing, at-risk
    youth programs and other crime prevention measures.  The U.S. must
    be seen by Panamanians as part of the solution of stopping the
    violent crime that is increasingly plaguing their streets.  If we
    are perceived as being only interested in interdicting drugs headed
    for the U.S., long term public support for our counternarcotics
    collaboration with Panama will fail.  End Summary.

    Merida Has an Image Problem
    ---------------------------
    ¶2. (SBU) Crime has increased significantly in Panama over the past
    two years, and polls show that crime and juvenile delinquency are
    overwhelmingly the number one issue that Panamanians worry about.
    At the same time, news media carry stories daily about ghastly
    drug-related violence in Mexico and the increasingly militarized
    nature of the drug war along the U.S. border.  The Merida Initiative
    is often mentioned as the response to that crisis, and as a result,
    many Panamanians have come to associate Merida with a military
    solution to fighting drug traffickers.  Panama lived under military
    dictatorship for 21 years and abolished its military after the
    removal of Manuel Noreiga in 1989.  Panamanians are overwhelmingly
    opposed to any moves to "remilitarize" their country, and they view
    a military response to drug trafficking as inappropriate for their
    society.

    Panama Wants Prevention
    -----------------------
    ¶3. (SBU) In sharp contrast to Mexico, there is a growing consensus
    among policy makers in Panama that prevention and community-oriented
    efforts are the long-term solution to the country's growing problem
    of crime and delinquency.  Presidential candidate Ricardo
    Martinelli, who is currently favored to win the May 3 presidential
    election promotes his "safe streets" security platform that calls
    for a broad mix of social programs to attack the roots of crime and
    improved police intelligence.  Thoughtful analysts call for a "drain
    the swamp" approach that would empower the community and deny the
    opportunity for organized crime to take hold.  The Panamanian
    National Police has embraced the concept of community policing and
    has undertaken NAS-funded training based on that model.
    ¶4. (SBU) The prevention approach makes sense for Panama for several
    reasons.  Panama has not yet seen the levels of gang violence that
    have affected the northern Central American countries.  Experts
    believe that Panama's gang problem is still in an early phase and
    can be contained with robust at-risk youth programs.  In addition,
    Panama's courts and prisons are the weakest elements of its criminal
    justice system, and both are plagued by corruption.  Even if Panama
    were able to arrest large numbers of traffickers, its courts would
    likely fail to convict them and the prison system, known cynically
    as "gang university," would be unable to hold them.

    Our Message: Supporting Strong Communities
    ------------------------------------------
    ¶5. (SBU) In recent weeks Embassy Panama has launched a public
    diplomacy program to highlight U.S. support for Panamanian NGOs and
    community organizations that are operating successful prevention
    programs.  We are pressing the message that the answer to Panama's
    crime and security problems lies in strengthening communities so
    that law-abiding citizens own the streets and create an environment
    that drives out crime.  We have organized a series of events
    featuring the Ambassador visiting sites around Panama and
    interacting with community leaders whose programs are making a
    difference in the lives of ordinary Panamanians.  The bi-weekly
    visits in underprivileged neighborhoods have included a music
    academy, a Kiwanis sports club, an after-school arts program,
    community centers, and baseball camps.  We look to support these
    organizations both with our own funds and by helping them to attract
    private sector funding.  Media coverage of the Ambassador's visits
    has been excellent, and the media has clearly conveyed the message
    that the U.S. Government believes that the work of those
    organizations makes Panama's communities stronger and more secure.
    The Ambassador's message tag line with the media is "security begins
    with strong communities."
    ¶6. (SBU) When the anticipated Merida ESF funding arrives, we will
    broaden our message to promote education and English teaching.
    Education has special resonance for Panamanians because of a
    widespread belief that the country urgently needs to reform and
    improve its education system in order to maintain the high levels of
    economic growth and prosperity Panama has enjoyed in recent years.

    It's Not Just About US
    ----------------------
    ¶7. (SBU) Panama cooperates very closely with the U.S. in
    interdiction efforts, and cocaine seizures in the Panama region are
    the highest in the hemisphere.  As in most countries in the region,
    drug trafficking historically has been perceived here as a "Gringo
    problem" that did not greatly concern Panama.  In that context, most
    Panamanians were indifferent about their government's collaboration
    with the U.S. on interdiction efforts.
    ¶8. (SBU) However, the recent dramatic increase in drug-related crime
    could change that perception.  Panamanians have never seen
    assassinations and violent crime like they are currently
    experiencing, and the public mood is bordering on panic.  People are
    demanding action, and the current government of President Torrijos
    is perceived as having been ineffective in stopping crime.  The
    Torrijos government is also seen as very cooperative with the U.S.
    on drug interdiction.
    ¶9. (SBU) In order to maintain the support of policymakers and the
    public for our joint interdiction programs, Panamanians must feel
    confident that U.S. programs like Merida will make a positive impact
    on their critical crime problem.  Panamanians must see the U.S. as
    their ally in solving a shared problem that affects all countries in
    the region.  Our message cannot simply be about stopping drugs
    headed to the U.S.  At the end of the day, we are seeking to
    encourage Panama and other Central American countries to formulate
    constructive policies that see them taking full responsibility for
    their own security.  The long term viability of our interdiction
    programs, and of our own security, depends in part on our success in
    delivering that message.
    STEPHENSON

`