Perez: 'Agreement made it clear that there was never bribe'

With the agreement recently signed between the Government of Panama and the Italian company Finmeccanica SpA, (with its subsidiaries Selex ES SpA, Agusta Westland SpA and Telespazio SpA), demonstrated that there was bribery and the big winner was the transnational, said jurists.

In that sense, the lawyer Alejandro Perez said the agreement is very suspicious because the same discredited the administration of former president Ricardo Martinelli were the ones who negotiated this agreement.

"It is an agreement that evidences a great truth, there was never any bribe, something illegal, and as in any negotiations, differences could arise commercially resolve," he said.

He said it's unfortunate that here has accused a person who has not committed any illegality in the agreement and that only made what was agreed in Cabinet: proceed with the Italian company sign the agreement.

He reiterated that, finally, this agreement is very suspicious because after two years of research by Panama's ambassador in Italy, Fernando Berguido, it came to light the truth, there was never anything illegal.

Perez hopes that justice and freedom of the former Minister of Security Jose Raul Mulino, who has been detained since October 26, 2015 at the headquarters of the National Police ordered.

"Nobody will return them the months to Mulino has been imprisoned and his family, but justice can start walking," he added.

He noted that criminal jurisdiction is ultimately to resolve trade disputes and the opposite was done here.

Meanwhile, the lawyer Ernesto Cedeno says the big winner, following the agreement between Finmeccanica and the government, was the European company for concessions that managed to obtain.

According to a letter sent to Panama America, Cedeno said Finmeccanica managed to continue with the contracts of helicopters and digital map.

He said also succeeded in writing stating that there is no irregularity in the quality of the radars, which will continue doing business with the Panamanian government and not only radars installed will be removed.

Cedeno said that he recognized a credit for one year to Panama for 29 million euros (31 million approximately) and for equipment to provide Finmeccanica, plus disputes relating to the agreement will not be resolved in the courts, but administered by the International Chamber of Commerce arbitration.

Recently, the president Juan Carlos Varela announced that it reached an agreement with Finmeccanica, following secret negotiations of which details are unknown and yesterday the agreement was published in the Official Gazette. According to the Government, it saved 100 million.

The paper plasma Panama return the advance payment bonds and compliance that were issued at the time.

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Datos

• Convenio

• El acuerdo entre el Estado y la empresa consta de 13 puntos.

• Cifras

• Treinta y dos millones de dólares en créditos acordó concederle Finmeccanica al Estado panameño. Mientras, 41 millones de dólares dice el Gobierno que no pagará a la empresa italiana.

• Devolución

• El Gobierno de Panamá le devolverá 12 radares a la compañía italiana y se quedará con los siete que ya están instalados.