Fábrega says government is taking dialogue seriously

ESPECIAL PARA PRENSA.COM/Migdalia Grinard

Los dirigentes del FAC dijeron sentirse burlados.

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12/01/2013 - Minister of Government Jorge Ricardo Fábrega said that the government has adequately responded to the 33-point agenda presented to it by the Frente Amplio por Colón.

Fábrega said the government is taking the dialogue seriously and that it "has not intended to make fun of the Colón people," as some groups have alleged.

However, the minister said that the government will not create a $500 million fund for social projects in the province, as has been proposed.

"You have to be realistic," the minister said. "Where will we get $500 million?"

He said that a number of proposals were accepted by the government and submitted to the appropriate minister for execution.

As far as possible protests, Fábrega said that these actions would be irresponsible because it could lead to conflicts among Panamanians.

CONCERNS

The Citizens Alliance for Justice sent a letter to President Ricardo Martinelli and Minister of Government Jorge Ricardo Fábrega to express its concern about the dialogue over the future of Colón.

"Two months have elapsed and we have seen the conversation shrinking...the hope of a peaceful solution to the problems is not currently visible in the panorama," the letter stated.

The Alliance said it is concerned that further protests will have consequences that could impact the whole country.

It has called for the dialogue to resume immediately with the participation of the Catholic Church and specialists in conflict resolution.

The group also expressed concern about the conflicts over hydroelectric projects in Veraguas and Chiriquí that have caused recent protests.