Panama President wanted to wiretap rivals -WikiLeaks
PANAMA : Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli tried to
bully the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to turn its wiretapping
program on political rivals, a State Department cable released by
WikiLeaks said.
Martinelli, a supermarket tycoon elected last year, sent a “cryptic”
message to the U.S. ambassador in Panama which said, “I need help with
tapping phones,” according to the cable from August 2009 published by
Spanish newspaper El Pais. “He made reference to various groups and
individuals whom he believes should be wiretapped, and he clearly made
no distinction between legitimate security targets and political
enemies,” the cable written by then Ambassador Barbara Stephenson said.
When the ambassador refused, Martinelli complained she was being “too
legal” and made an implicit threat to stop helping the U.S. government
with anti-narcotics operations in Panama if he could not get help with
wiretaps, the cable said.
Martinelli said in a statement on Saturday the cable was a
“misinterpretation” and denied asking to intercept politicians’ phone
calls.
He said the government remained committed to fighting drug
traffickers and money laundering in Panama.
The publication of the diplomatic messages is the latest example of
the ability of WikiLeaks, founded by Australian Julian Assange, to cause
international embarrassment. A scandal over wiretapping could cause a
serious challenge to Martinelli’s popularity.
The conservative business leader, who is one of Panama’s richest men,
has a nearly 60 percent approval rating. But the U.S. cable expressed
worry that Martinelli was willing to bend the law to reach his political
goals.
“His penchant for bullying and blackmail may have led him to
supermarket stardom but is hardly statesmanlike,” the cable said.
Panama City, Sunday, Reuters |