Foreign minister challenged over UN budget statements

Panama’s new Foreign Minister, Robert  Henriquez  accused the previous Ministry  administrators of  unjustified multi million dollar surcharges  for the organization of the Conference on Climate Change.

According to Henriquez , former  Foreign Minister and Panama Vice President Juan Carlos  Varela introduced an unjustified surcharge of $2,3 million  , to organize the event involving 194 countries.

The Foreign Minister said  that his administration's budget dropped from $8 m

illion to $5.7 million to organize the conference, of which more than half is provided by the United Nations.

La Prensa reported attempts to get details from the Minister but got no reply.
Ex vice chancellor Alvero Aleman,  in a statement, asked the Foreign Minister: ”If you have evidence of any irregularity in the organization of the conference, present a report to the Attorney General and stop making false and cowardly accusations in the social media.”

Alemanadded: "The preliminary budget for this conference was made by a team led by the Directorate General of International Events based on the requirements of the United Nations Organization."

 Varela said that  in August he ordered a review  of the budget to reduce costs and reach agreements with the United Nations so that as  host country, Panama  at all times  would be acting with transparency and adherence to the law.

According to Aleman, Henriquez statements "are trying to divert attention from the unprofessional way  dismissals of ambassadors have been conducted."