Varela in Davos, vows continued growth, elimination of corruption,

REACTING to a World Economic Forum discussion showing that corruption is a major cause of poverty in Latin America  President Juan Carlos Varela says he is totally committed to the elimination of corruption in Panama.

“Soon, Panama will be a governance model for Latin America and the world, with officials who serve their country, pushing the lucrative business of institutions.”

He was speaking in a wide ranging interview with La Prensa   at the Davos World Forum, January 23  , ranging from wiretapping and corruption to the differences in the way he and ex-president Ricardo Martinelli were received by Pope Francis.

CONSENSUS
On his approach to governing he focused on consensus: “My party has tried to maintain a responsible relationship with the media, political leaders and other civil authorities, even when we were in opposition. Today Panama has returned to the diplomatic policy of dialogue, consensus and balance. We immediately improved relations with many countries with which there was a difficult situation.”

Asked if he had  expected to be received  in  Vatican the with full honors, while months ago ex-president Ricardo Martinelli got a low key reception delaying  the creation of a Panama Cardinal was  he said:  “I’m no expert in internal affairs of the Holy See. I am a lay Catholic with a great responsibility: I have to run my country. But I share the joy of the Panamanian people with the Pope’s decision to appoint Francisco José Luis Lacunza first cardinal of Panama

ITALY SCANDAL:
Asked Why Martinelli and some former ministers continue to insist that Valter Lavítola really helped Panama to get an agreement to avoid double taxation with Italy, if the treaty never came into force?”
The relationship established with Ricardo Martinelli Lavítola unfortunately was used for things that were not exactly the best for the country …. This affinity between Lavítola and Martinelli affectED bilateral relations with Panama and created complicated internal affairs in Italy.”

To the question “Lavítola is in prison and Silvio Berlusconi is serving  a sentence should you consider  the background of Ricardo Martinelli?”. Varela replied:

“Accountability is part of public life. With private funds you do what you want, but public funds must be administered always defending the people’s interests.

WIRETAPPING
On the  Martinelli  wiretapping scandal he was asked if he was  concerned that he also was tapped:

[“In public life  you  have to be ready for everything.  There was the invasion of the privacy of politicians, trade union, and Church leaders  even people belonging to the same government.

Most troubling is that there was a team, not just technical, but also human. Not employing  those same forces to fighting  and using the  equipment to follow anyone who did not share the ideas of the president, should be condemned. In addition, there is a clear aggravation that it   meddled in the privacy of families for political attacks.”

NICARAGUA  CANAL
Asked how Panama will maintain a growth rate of 7% in the face of the Nicaragua Canal which Martinelli called a pipe dream Varela said: “Wewill follow developments
but the best we can do is prepare for our Canal to be more competitive. An engineering plan for the Canal

to more effectively retain water and improve performance for transiting vessels is needed. Nicaragua has the right to aspire to build another channel, but a proposed $60 billion dollars is not economically viable at this time.”

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Asked if he feared a decline in growth in Latin America and Panama in particular, announced by experts at Davos, Varela said: “ No. In fact, all international bodies such as ECLAC, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund projected economic growth for Panama between 6.5% and 7%.

“In Panama we are optimistic because we have consolidated our logistics system and strengthened tourism. Both sectors are important drivers of the economy of our country.”

CORRUPTION
A final question dealt with Varela’s reaction in the event that government officials are found to be corrupt. He said he would ask for their  immediate resignation, and gaher proof, but prevention was better than cure.