Panama denies agreement with U.S. on military bases

[Judi Lynn]

Panama denies agreement with U.S. on military bases
2009-11-03 11:09:13

PANAMA CITY, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Panama's Vice President and Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Varela denied on Monday his country had reached agreement with the United States on the creation of four aerial-maritime bases in the Panamanian coasts.

Varela made the denial in response to President of Peace and Justice Services Julio Yao's criticism of President Ricardo Martinelli's foreign policy and the alleged prospective establishment of aerial-maritime bases to combat drug, weapons and people trafficking.

The Panamanian opposition has claimed that these bases would be controlled by the United States. However, the Panamanian government denied those allegations, saying that those facilities will be under Panamanian control.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/03/content_12375771.htm