VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHZP #1092 1580004
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 070004Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8213
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1032
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0033
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//J5/J2/POLAD//

UNCLAS PANAMA 001092 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV EWWT PM
SUBJECT: GOP TURNS TO CHAVEZ TO BOOST CANAL REFERENDUM 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
¶1. (SBU) The GOP has invited Venezuelan President Chavez to 
attend the June 22 Congreso Anfictionico in Panama in an 
attempt to sway leftist voters, trade unions, and students 
before the upcoming Canal expansion referendum, Foreign 
Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro told the Ambassador in a June 1 
meeting.  Chavez's attendance is not yet confirmed, but the 
MFA believes he will not pass up this chance to celebrate his 
hero Bolivar.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Anti-U.S. Platform 
------------------ 
¶2.  (SBU) VP/FM Lewis Navarro told Amb. Eaton June 1 that he 
realized Chavez's visit would be a platform for anti-American 
rhetoric, but thought Chavez could help persuade leftist 
voters to support the still-unscheduled Canal referendum, a 
must-win vote for the GOP.  Confirming the FM's views, Vice 
Foreign Minister Ricardo Duran told POL Counselor June 6 that 
Chavez's visit would be especially useful in selling the 
expansion to radicals and students who do not support the 
expansion project.  Duran said the GOP was not concerned the 
visit could backfire and anger mainstream Panamanians who 
dislike Chavez. 
 
Sole Visitor 
------------ 
¶3.  (SBU) MFA Deputy Protocol Director told POL Specialist 
June 1 that the GOP originally intended to make this a big 
event with regional heads of state but has informally advised 
area presidents not to come to Panama around this time. 
Chavez is the only head of state invited to the Congreso, 
which commemorates the 180th anniversary of Simon Bolivar's 
1826 congress of newly independent Latin American countries. 
The event will be attended by members of the diplomatic 
community. 
 
Comment 
------- 
¶4.  (SBU) Chavez's proposed visit is the GOP's latest move to 
build up Lewis Navarro's leftist credentials within the 
ruling PRD for a 2009 presidential run.  The invitation 
follows Panama's May vote for China, Cuba, and Venezuela for 
the UN Human Rights Commission, which Lewis Navarro has 
publicly defended, and the 2005 reestablishment of relations 
with Cuba, which Lewis Navarro had pursued.  Although Lewis 
Navarro is President Torrijos's apparent pick for his 
successor, he lacks support from the leftist segment of his 
party.  Reaching out to Chavez is a clear attempt to boost 
his standing with the PRD left while trying to dissuade 
leftist trade unions and students from causing trouble prior 
to the Canal expansion vote. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) The GOP is betting that Panamanians who already 
support expansion will not change their minds over Chavez, 
and that undecided voters who dislike Chavez will not turn 
against the Canal project.  Radical leftists, however, may 
well be swayed or at least neutralized if Chavez speaks in 
favor of expansion.  The GOP's influence over the media could 
also help to frame Chavez's visit to favor its goals.  The 
GOP's gamble lies in not being able to control public 
reaction to what Chavez may say and do during his visit.  It 
is still unclear what other motivations lie behind the GOP's 
invitation, but at this critical juncture for the GOP, the 
GOP is counting on a beneficial boost from Chavez on many 
fronts. 
 
EATON