Panama Rejects US Ambassador Comments
Panama has officially rejected comments by US Ambassador William Eaton on the local legal system that generated a wave of criticism from different sectors.

Eaton was quoted in a local paper as saying, "There is a regrettable culture of impunity for the powerful here in Panama, and also with government officials," which was considered an intrusion into internal affairs by Supreme Court Chief Justice Graciela Dixon.

Panamanian First Vice President and Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis said such comments do not lead to good bilateral relations and recalled this is not the first time the US ambassador has made non-diplomatic comments.

In July he made similar statements and was called to explain them by former Foreign Ministers Harmodio Arias, Roberto Alfaro and Jose Raul Mulino.

PAP leader (Alternative Popular Party), Olmedo Beluche called on the people to reject them as interference in domestic matters.

Former Foreign Policy Director Carlos Guevara called it inappropriate for foreign diplomats to judge domestic affairs in the countries to which they are accredited.