Panama moves to exit extra parliament

PANAMA. Foreign minister and vice present, Juan Carlos Varela has requested Panama to be taken out of the Central America Parliament (PARLACEN) but a lot of criticism is coming his way.

Legislator Julio Palacios, former president of the PARLACEN said the vice president is putting on a show.

Varela claims a private survey says the public demands Panama to be out out this regional organization. Palacios says a referendum is needed to determine the will of the people.

Tito Mendez, a legislator for the Popular Party said he would propose referendum because this is a whim by President Martinelli.

Panamanian legislators for the PARLACEN will be sworn in on August 27 in the Dominican Republic.

PARLACEN’s president, Gloria Oqueli said it would be necessary to revise the Viena Convention and the Tegucigalpa Protocol.

Article 54 of the Viena Convention says to end the a country’s participation in a suscribed treaty all parts must agree.

This means Panama would need approval from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, also PARLACEN members.