Translated from La Prensa, Panama

France has requested the extradition of Manuel Antonio Noriega (former
strong man of Panama, taken into custody in 1989 by the US)to serve a 10
years prison sentence in the country. the information was confirmed by
a diplomat of the French Embassy in Washinigton, who said that the US
Government has not responded yet to the extradition request and that the
issue shall have to be settled by a US court.

In parallel, the US Government and the Panamanian Embassy in Washington
have declined once again to give any information on the matter.

There are only 4 months left before Noriega is release of the Miami
Federal Prison where he has been an immate for 17 years (his sentence
was 30) for drugdealing and gangsterism.

The Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Samuel Lewis Navarro said
that he knows nothing about a new extradition petition for Noriega from
France, although he is aware of previous requests for pending processes
against the former dictator.

In July 1999 a Criminal Court in France found Manuel Antonio Noriega
guilty of using funds from drugdealings to perform financial
transactions in French soil. Noriega was tried in absence ad sentenced
to 10 years on incarceration plus a fine of 75 million francs (15.5
million dollars).

The French Embassy in Washington has indicated that its Government has
requested the extradition of Noriega and it is awaiting the response of
the US Gov.

The document states that the US is wants to ensure befopre extraditing
Noriega, that Frnace will grant him prisoner of war status.

According to the document, France responded that they will not grant
such status, but will grant him all the protection provided for in the
Geneva convention and will grant him special treatment in prison due to
his status as former Chief of State.

I am appalled by these news.

Prisoner of war? There was no war declared between Panama and the US
previous to the invasion of 1989, where Noriega was taken.

The charges he was tried under were drugdealing and gangsterism, no
Crimes against humanity. And those crimes, all of them, drug dealing,
gangsterism and crimes against humanity, he did commit.

Noriega was never elected Cheif of State, or President. He was a de
facto leader, who stayed in power because the military has seized the
Governement in 1968 and kept it for 21 years. Not a democratically
elected government. I don't see why France will grant him special
treatment.

He was a common criminal, tried and convicted as one, and should pay for
all of it.

Send him to the French and let him rot there!

Sorry, it was supposed to be *France*

I think it was an outrage what America did in 1989..I call it them
policing the world and choosing who can run or not run a country..just
like they did with Saddam when they had finished being his playmate

I wasn't in Panama in 1989...but the whole thing was wrong from
beginning to end... and nothing to be done... just suck it up.

You have no idea... The US Army leveled a whole neighborhood full of
civilians, just because Headquarters was there. But none of the heads
was anywhere near there

Noriega died years ago.

He did not die he had a stroke.

Perhaps the US should consider the time he has spent in jail as time
served and simply release him.

And tell france that as they have not supported us in past endevors we
feel they have no rights in this one.

Reseale? WOW
I wonder how many boyfriends he had in the house?
wow I can;t believe they'll let an animal like that out, and with the
prisoner ****? OMG

Not very sporting, AB..I think the US should be above such pettiness..

He should be extradited, but, with no special status..

Th US droppod the ball with him too..The people should be glad to get
rid of hiim!!

all because he was not elected chief of state does not make him not
chief of state, however he gained power is not our concern really we
cannot tell everyother country that they have to elect the chiefs of
state or else they are not legally in charge or the chief. On the
subject of extradition, it should not matter how France has stood on the
United State's foriegn policies other than if we wanted someone
extradicted, did they comply, if so, how often? That should be our only
concern as far as the extradiction of Noriega.

I agree fedman, besides France has always been there when we needed
them. check history.
Their intelligence told them Bush was lying about the CIA reports on
Iraq so dont you think it would have been equally as criminal for them
to lie too. Why should they have followed us when they knew we were
lying to the world.

Ok so they were smart as far as Iraq in you opinion.

What of the flyover rights denied during the bombing of libia?

(having been involved in anti terroist activities at the time I am fully
in agreement with Regans decision to bomb Kiddafi)

I agree with the bombing of Kaddafi, AB..As for the flyover denial,
remember, France is a lot closer to the terrorists than the US is..

I don't fault them for denying flyovers..They were not at war with
Lybia, or Iraq.

I think the extradition should take place, dependant on Frances record
of co-operation in such matters, and, with no strings
attached..

so you would deni him a simple right all americans posses. (he was not a
citizen I know but if we truly believe in those rights shoud we not
uphold them for all people)

Within amendment V of the Bill of Rights...
'...nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put
in jeopardy of life or limb;...'

He was tried an convicted for drug offenses within the United States and
surved his time. Should we now turn him over to France (which convicted
him of the same crime) it would be in a way giving him to suffer for the
twice for that crime.

Why the hell not?

The US does it all the time..They have even gone as far as to kidnap
people in Canada, because the were not going to wait for the extradition
process to work..

Boy, they got in big trouble for that one, and the boys were released..

Only because it became public, though!!

Why not?

Because it has to end somewhere.

Why not now.

I wish it could, AB..That is a great thought, and it keeps me
going..