VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHZP #0230 0452109
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 142109Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9816
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS PANAMA 000230 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR G/IWI AND WHA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KWMN PHUM PREL KPAO PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA: NOMINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMAN OF 
COURAGE AWARD 
 
REF: STATE 12871 
 
¶1.  (U) Per reftel instructions, Embassy Panama is pleased to 
nominate Angelica Maytin for the Secretary of State's Award 
for International Women of Courage (IWOC). 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Biographical information and justification 
statement for Ms. Maytin follow: 
 
Name: Angelica Maytin Justiniani 
Title: Executive Director 
Institution: Transparency International Panama chapter- 
Fundacion para el Desarrollo de la Libertad Ciudadana 
(Foundation for the Development of Civic Freedom) 
Contact information: 507-223-4120 
 
¶3.  (U) Angelica Maytin rates is Panama's foremost advocate 
for transparency and good governance in Panama.  In a country 
where corruption consistently rates among the public's top 
concerns, Maytin's efforts are pivotal in raising public 
consciousness of corruption and encouraging civil society to 
fight for transparency. 
 
¶4.  (U) Maytin has worked for most of her adult life to 
improve good governance in Panama.  She started working for 
the Panama branch of Transparency International as a 
volunteer in 1996 and now serves as Executive Director of the 
chapter.  Besides her work with Transparency International, 
Maytin participated in numerous regional, governmental, and 
non-governmental programs that emphasize transparency and 
human rights.  These endeavors include serving as a judge for 
labor issues with the Panama Canal Authority, monitoring the 
2006 Canal expansion referendum, and contributing to the 
Organization of American States' proposals to Panama as part 
of the InterAmerican Convention against Corruption.  Maytin 
has also served as a consultant for USAID, the UN Development 
Program, and the International Foundation for Electoral 
Systems (IFES). 
 
¶5.  (U) When President Torrijos formed the 10-member National 
Transparency Council in 2005 as part of his anti-corruption 
platform, Maytin was an obvious choice for inclusion. 
However, in September 2006 Maytin took the bold step of 
resigning from the Council to protest the Council's 
"ineffectiveness" and lack of action.  By walking away -- 
despite significant pressure from the Torrijos Administration 
to remain on the Council -- Maytin sent a strong signal to 
the public and the government that the GOP's anti-corruption 
efforts were not advancing as expected; we concur with her 
assessment.  Since her resignation, Maytin continues to be an 
active voice for transparency, calling on the GOP to make 
good on its anti-corruption pledges and urging the public to 
take a stand on demanding good governance. 
 
¶6.  (U) Maytin's tireless efforts on behalf of transparency 
and good governance demonstrate "outstanding courage and 
leadership."  Through the work of Maytin and her fellow 
activists, the fight against corruption has taken hold in the 
public consciousness.  Corruption is no longer accepted by 
the Panamanian people as a normal government practice.  For 
her efforts on behalf of transparency, good governance, and 
democracy, we are happy to nominate Angelica Maytin as an 
International Woman of Courage. 
 
¶7.  (U)  Embassy Panama's officer following women's issues is 
Carrie Lee.  She can be reached at 507-207-7131 or via email 
at LeeCK2@state.gov. 
 
Arreaga