News blackout for Indigenous and government negotiators

A news blackout on the discussions over the mining and water concerns of the Ngobe Bugle was lifted only for photographers and cameramen to record the participants.

Those negotiating to end the crisis are meeting in the United Nations headquarters in the City of Knowledge, and are meeting behind closed doors. The move to the UN location followed a call from the indigenous representatives for a change of venue. They also asked for President Ricardo Martinelli to participate, so far without response.

The meetings have continued throughout the weekend,  and it was anticipated that on Sunday two technical boards would discuss inssues connected with hydroelectricity and water. Technical support is being provided by the UN.

After days of standoffs one of the agreements reached on Saturday  was that all communication with local media would be through joint comuniques written at the end of working daysto end unilateral statements from both sides of the fence.