Panama’s Ruling Party Accuses OAS of Meddling Before Delegation Arrives

PANAMA CITY —  The ruling party on Monday accused the Organization of American States of interfering in Panama’s internal affairs, just before an OAS team seeking a way out of the country’s political crisis was due to arrive.

The Democratic Revolutionary Party said that the OAS, which last week condemned Panama’s strongman, Gen. Manuel A. Noriega, for abusing the May 7 elections, had violated its charter by intervening in the internal affairs of a member state.

“The Organization of American States cannot impose criteria on us from outside, nor does it have the authority to resolve any difference that may exist inside a nation,” the party’s National Executive Committee said in a statement.

It said an OAS delegation, due to arrive in Panama today, could act only as distinguished Latin Americans seeking agreement between Panamanians and not as mediators.

“Our glorious party . . . will never accept any type of interventionist resolutions or attitudes which try to solve problems or situations for which Panamanians alone are responsible,” the statement said.

The criticism was echoed by government presidential candidate Carlos Duque, who said in a separate statement that international organizations did not have the political, moral or legal authority to judge the Panamanian people.

The delegation, consisting of OAS Secretary General Joao Baena Soares and the foreign ministers of Ecuador, Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago, was ordered to Panama after the OAS met in special session last week to discuss the annulment of Panama’s elections.

It was instructed to seek the best way of ensuring “the transfer of power.” Panama’s electoral tribunal annulled the elections on May 10, citing foreign interference. Foreign observers said the opposition easily won despite what they said were efforts by Noriega to steal the vote.