Bunga Bunga extortion suspect praised by Martinelli

An Italian fugitive from Justice, believed hiding in Panama,  is considered by President, Ricardo Martinelli, as "a very useful" for Panama.

Valter Lavitola,  a former consultant to the Italian conglomerate, Finmeccanica.is wanted by the Prosecutor of Naples for extortion of more than a million dollars from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who allegedly, introduced him as his "private assistant."  

The blackmail by Lavitola and two accomplices was based on  keeping silent that Berlusconi knew of the provision of prostitutes for his famed bunga bunga parties.

Martinelli said that Lavitola helped Panama to get Italy to donate six patrol vessels to Panama "costing nearly $ 300 million." 
It is noteworthy says La Prensa that this amount is similar to the $333.3 million payment agreed to in June 2010 with Finmeccanica for six helicopters, 19 radars and a mapping system.

The deal was sealed between Martinelli and Berlusconi without a bidding process, and without the amount being publicly released.

Martinelli said the vice president, Juan Carlos Varela, also maintained contact with Lavitola during the trip to Italy. The president's reaction comes after Varela said that "Martinelli must explain the direct relationship" he has with Lavitola. "They [Martinelli and Lavitola] are very close," he said.

The President also credited  Lavitola as "being very instrumental  in the signing of the  double taxation treaty that dealt with the Foreign Ministry."

 "Lavitola in all his visits and pilgrimages he has had with Mr. Berlusconi, also greatly helped relations between Panama and Italy improve" he said.
 Deputy Minister of Security, Alejandro Garuz, said the  used donated vessels, which could come in December, are being refurbished in Italian shipyards.

The Helicopters, were said to be for security purposes but the first one to arrive has been designated for "executive” use.