MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Panama praises “professionalism” of Honduras Army in the crisis

Juan Carlos Varela said the Army is complying with Supreme Court decisions

Panamanian Vice-president and Foreign Affairs minister Juan Carlos Varela praised the Honduran Army for its “professionalism” in dealing with the political crisis of the country in spite of repeated claims of repression from human rights organizations.

“Our country (Panama) suffered a military dictatorship, and here the military organized a coup and remained in power for 21 years; they dumped people out of aircrafts; killed priests and nuns; disappeared people; mutilated members of political parties including the one of which I am now president”, said Varela.

However he emphasized “I, with my eyes in Honduras have seen a responsible Army, complying Supreme Court decisions and in the middle of a political crisis, of which they are not part”.

Varela made the statements when asked about claims from Bertha Oliva, coordinator of the Families Committee of Detained and Disappeared in Honduras, Cofadeh.

Oliva was quoted saying that the “political, police and military actors from the dirty war of the eighties are now back together as the main protagonists of the current political-military coup” against President Manuel Zelaya.

The ousted president has been trying to return following the mandate from the Organization of American States.

“I have no inclination towards these military, but I must admit that the Honduras Armed Forces have displayed a professional management of the situation, because we must understand they are in the middle of a dispute between two branches of government”, said Varela.

Panama recognizes the constitutional government of President Zelaya and on Monday acted as a facilitator for a meeting between representatives from the government of Costa Rica and delegates of the facto regime in Honduras, trying to bring positions together and analyzing possible options for the crisis.

Varela also pointed out that Panama openly supports the mediation efforts from Costa Rica president Oscar Arias to avoid bloodshed in Honduras. The dialogue initiative was originally launched by Panama and Colombia.

“We are optimistic about reaching some kind of deal which ensures peace to the brother people of Honduras; I emphasize that what most matters is the integrity of the Honduran people”, said Varela.