William Eaton - Department of State - Articles - Zimbio

Panamanian Government Says Goodbye to US Ambassador William Eaton

Wed, 19 Jun 2008 16:49:26 GMT

posted by winnerdk
.autotagframe1 { float:right; padding:5px; width:184px; border: silver solid; border-width: 1px; text-align:center; } Order of Vasco Nuñez de Balboa B y Leonardo Flores for La Prensa - The Ambassador of the United States in Panama William Eaton was awarded the "Vasco Núñez de Balboa" medal by the Government of Panama yesterday upon culminating his diplomatic mission of almost three years in the country. During the ceremony, which was held in the Chancellery, Eaton said he feels optimistic that the US congress will ratify bilateral Free Trade Agreement between the US and Panama, which he considers to be "beneficial and just" for both nations. The ratification of this agreement has been suspended as a result of the election of Pedro Miguel González as President of the Panamanian National Assembly, with which Eaton has had several encounters. The US government considers Pedro Miguel Gonzalez to be a fugitive from justice, and he is accused of having assassinated US Army Soldier Puerto Rican Zak Hernandez Eaton has also strongly criticized Panamanian authorities on subjects related to corruption and drug trafficking. The diplomat will be replaced next month in July by Barbara Stephenson. The ceremony was attended by the First Vice President and Chancellor Samuel Lewis Navarro, the Minister of Government and Justice Daniel Delgado Diamante, the administrator of the Panama Canal Alberto Alemán Zubieta, and the former Minister of Commerce Alejandro Ferrer.

homenaje.

Gobierno despide a Eaton

Leonardo Floreslflores@prensa.com

El embajador de Estados Unidos, William Eaton, recibió ayer, de parte del Gobierno panameño, la condecoración Vasco Núñez de Balboa, tras culminar su misión diplomática de casi tres años en el país.

Durante el acto, que se realizó en la sede de la Cancillería, Eaton dijo que se siente optimista de que el Congreso estadounidense ratificará el Tratado de Promoción Comercial, el cual considera justo y beneficioso para ambas naciones.

Dicho acuerdo está estancado a raíz de la elección de Pedro Miguel González como presidente de la Asamblea Nacional, con quien Eaton ha tenido varios desencuentros. El Gobierno estadounidense considera como prófugo de la justicia a González y lo acusa de haber matado al soldado puertorriqueño Zak Hernández.

Eaton también ha criticado fuertemente a las autoridades panameñas por temas relacionados a la corrupción y al narcotráfico. El diplomático será reemplazado el próximo mes de julio por Barbara Stephenson.

Al acto asistió el primer vicepresidente y canciller, Samuel Lewis Navarro; el ministro de Gobierno y Justicia, Daniel Delgado Diamante; el administrador del Canal de Panamá, Alberto Alemán Zubieta; y el ex ministro de Comercio Alejandro Ferrer.

New US Ambassador to Panama Barbara J. Stephenson Arrives Tomorrow

Wed, 31 Jul 2008 17:31:02 GMT

posted by winnerdk
By Fermín Estribí for the Panama America - Panama is anticipating the arrival of the new ambassador from the United States of America to Panama, Barbara Stephenson, who will assume the position left by the departing diplomat William Eaton. Stephenson is expected to arrive in Panama at noon on 31 July 2008. The American civil servant has held important positions within the US State Department and was the coordinating deputy for Iraq.

Editor's Comment: Barbara J. Stephenson, of Florida, will be the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Panama. Ms. Stephenson, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, was serving as the Deputy Coordinator for Iraq at the Department of State. Prior to this, she served as a Principal Officer in Belfast. Earlier in her career, she served as a Political and Economic Officer in Panama. Ms. Stephenson received her bachelor's degree, master's degree, and PhD from the University of Florida.

Nueva embajadora llegará a Panamá

Fermín EstribíPA-DIGITAL

Se espera que proximamente llegue al país la nueva embajadora de Estados Unidos en Panamá, Barbara Stephenson, para asumir el cargo que deja el diplomático William Eaton.

La llegada de Stephenson se tiene prevista para horas del mediodía del 31 de julio del 2008.

La funcionaria estadounidense ha ejercido cargos de importancia como integrante del servicio exterior de Estados Unidos y diputada coordinadora para Iraq ante el Departamento de Estado de ese país.

An Interview with US Ambassador to Panama William Eaton

Sat, 2 Dec 2007 00:53:14 GMT

posted by winnerdk

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - During the recent trip to the Embera Indian village of Parara Puru on the Chagres River I was able to get a little time with the US Ambassador to Panama William Eaton:

Panama-Guide: On the free trade agreement and Pedro Miguel Gonzalez; Do you think the Free Trade Agreement is going to pass?

Ambassador Eaton: I think it's still unclear. You've seen a lot of comments from influential Senators and Congressmen that have concerns about the agreement now. The election next November adds a new dynamic to the political discussion in the United States about free trade. We don't know what the new congress or the new president will think about free trade. So I think we're entering into a period of uncertainty. (more)

Panama-Guide: With regards to the Panamanian judicial system; I know you've spoken several times on the uncertainty of the judicial system in Panama. There was an article that came out yesterday saying there are some 7,000 people in the Panamanian prisons that have not yet been before a judge. Is the US in any way helping or consulting with the Panamanian government to improve that?

Ambassador Eaton: Yes, as a matter of fact we are. We have programs through the USAid to work with Panamanian magistrates, with the Ministry of Government and Justice, in terms of trying to improve judicial procedures. We're also working with the Attorney General and the Public Ministry, trying to help improve aspects of the judicial system. We're also working with them to improve conditions in the prisons. For example we've got one program that we're doing through Southcom to work with the prisons on tele-medicine, so that those prisoners that are in some of the jails in Panama get first-class medical attention through tele-medicine.

Panama-Guide: I've been looking at Bocas del Toro and some of the problems up there, especially dealing with land disputes over Rights of Possession land. Are you familiar with any of that?

Ambassador Eaton: Yes, very much so.

Panama-Guide: In a lot of those situations it's Americans vs. Americans fighting over the land in Panama. Where do you come down on that?

Ambassador Eaton: Part of the challenge is trying to regularize the land title system in Panama. That's something that President Torrijos personally has advocated. The ACP has also been working on trying to get proper land titles for the property. And that's what you need, because the disputes arise when there are gray areas in terms of possession - who owns the property. With an effective land titling system then you can avoid a lot of those disagreements over who owns what pieces of land.

Panama-Guide: Thank you very much, I appreciate you taking the time.

Ambassador Eaton: No problem, those were easy...

Welcome to our blog about William Eaton - Department of State

Wed, 24 Aug 2006 19:22:33 GMT

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