[PEN-L:1472] Re: Ajit re Noriega

[Ajit Sinha <ecas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 07:59 10/12/98 -0600, you wrote:
>Ajit brings up the question of whether the "Pinochet to Spain" precedent
>had not been already amply established by the American hustling of
>Panamanian caudillo Manuel Noriega straight from his villa to a Miami
>courtroom and thereafter to a Federal prison.
>Coincidentally that case is in the news right now.  The report below
>should clear up all aspects in question for Ajit and others, at least
>in terms of conventional reality.

>                                                                  valis
_________

Thanks Valis! My apology to Noriega for misspelling his name. Cheers, ajit
sinha
>   ______________________________________________________________________
>
>                     Noriega seeks to trim prison sentence
>
>   MIAMI (December 8, 1998 10:51 p.m. EST http://www.nandotimes.com) --
>   Former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega asked a federal judge
>   Tuesday to reduce his 40-year sentence on drug charges in return for
>   the help he gave U.S. intelligence operations in Latin America while
>   he was in power.
>
>   "We are not saying that you should forgive him for his drug deal
>   convictions. We are not saying you should give him a slap on the
>   wrist," said Noriega's attorney Frank Rubino. "What we are saying to
>   you is that you gave him a hefty sentence. Now mete out justice with
>   mercy."
>
>   Noriega, 63, who was convicted in April 1992 on money laundering and
>   drug trafficking charges, wants his sentence to be cut back to no more
>   than 15 years and a chance to go back to Panama. Noriega could go free
>   in 2005 if the request is granted.
>
>   Noriega, jailed in 1990, is now eligible for parole in 2013.
>
>   A former CIA agent, a retired U.S. ambassador to Panama and a retired
>   adviser on Latin American affairs testified on Noriega's behalf,
>   calling his work with the United States crucial to the nation's
>   foreign policy objectives in South America in the 1980s.
>
>   Noriega brokered deals with South American leaders, acted as a liaison
>   to Cuban President Fidel Castro, provided details on guerrilla and
>   terrorist activities and even gave the former Shah of Iran a safe
>   haven, said Donald Winters, retired chief of CIA operations in Panama.
>
>   "These were specific instances when the U.S. government worked through
>   Gen. Noriega. These were major, major considerations," Winters said.
>
>   But Prosecutor Guy Lewis said Noriega allowed his country to become a
>   way station for trafficking, a safe haven for drug dealers and a
>   safe banking capital for laundering drug money.
>
>   "He's an international drug trafficker and money launderer of
>   unequaled proportions," Lewis said. "Good works are commendable. But
>   they are not the basis for (a jail departure)."
>
>   U.S. District Judge William Hoeveler could take weeks to rule on
>   Noriega's request.
>
>   By PATRICIA MALDONADO, Associated Press Writer
>     _________________________________________________________________
>
>    Copyright © 1998 Nando Media
>
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