Word: barletta
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...thousands of cheering spectators crowded outside Panama City's Atlapa convention center, and dozens of dignitaries from the U.S., Western Europe and Latin America smiled approvingly inside the hall, Nicolás (Nicky) Ardito Barletta was installed as Panama's 21st President. Secretary of State George Shultz, on the second stop of his Central American tour, hailed the new leader as "a longtime and respected friend," and the swearing in as "a new opportunity for progress." That it was: Ardito Barletta's inauguration marked Panama's return to civilian government after 16 years of direct...
Despite the day's display of high spirits, however, there is an undercurrent of restlessness in the traditionally volatile country. Unless Ardito Barletta can somehow subdue it, that sour mood could undermine his new presidency. Said General Manuel Antonio Noriega, the power ful head of Panama's 14,000-member National Defense Forces: "I see very big and dark clouds on the horizon...
Outside Panama City's Legislative Palace, where votes were being counted, Arias' backers clashed with supporters of Nicolás ("Nicky") Ardito Barletta, 45, the candidate of the military-backed National Democratic Union. Throughout the night, roving gangs from both sides barricaded downtown streets, looting shops and burning debris. Several times they were scattered by sniper fire that erupted from nearby buildings. The toll in one night of rioting: one dead, 41 wounded...
Although the vote count was not final, by week's end it appeared that Ardito Barletta, an economist who had served as a vice president of the World Bank until last February, would score a narrow victory over Arias, a Harvard-educated physician who leads the conservative Alliance of Democratic Opposition. But the real victor would most likely be the 12,000-man National Defense Forces, Panama's only security force. Ostensibly the election was to be the first step toward removing the military from politics, under the provisions of the constitutional reforms approved by referendum...
Even with the support of the military, Ardito Barletta will face a difficult five-year term. He will have to deal with a stagnant economy, a foreign debt of $3.3 million and pressing social problems, such as unemployment and lack of adequate housing and medical care. To continue the return to civilian rule, he will gently have to nudge the military out of politics but without provoking his own overthrow. Said Ardito Barletta last week: "One must treat the military well so that the military will treat the government well." He might soon be saying the same thing about Panamanian...