U.S. Denies Paying Panama Rebels $1 Million
- Share via
WASHINGTON — The Bush Administration today denied allegations by Panama’s Gen. Manuel A. Noriega that the United States paid $1 million to rebel officers to launch last week’s failed coup attempt.
“That’s nonsense,” Pentagon spokesman Pete Williams said.
“Absurd,” State Department spokeswoman Margaret Tutwiler said.
White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater told reporters in Gulfport, Miss., that he would check the report out, but added, “I don’t believe anything Noriega says.”
Noriega told reporters for The Times and the Boston Globe in an interview Wednesday night that Panamanian investigators discovered a bank account in the name of Capt. Erick A. Murillo, one of the alleged coup leaders, with more than $1 million. (Story, Section A, Page 1.)
“There was a lot of money there for a normal Panamanian,” Noriega was quoted as saying. “Six zeroes. It was a million-dollar account.”
Noriega also said Nicaraguan Contras delivered money and relayed messages between U.S. officials and coup plotters.
“That’s the first I’ve ever heard of something like that,” Tutwiler said of the accusation concerning the Contras.
The Bush Administration has said previously that U.S. officials were notified in advance by Panamanians involved in the coup but did not play a part in planning it.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Tom Girardi was a legal legend—until he was found guilty of stealing millions from his own clients. Host Madison McGhee and pop culture commentator Kiki Monique unpack how his downfall became a Real Housewives scandal, and what Erika Jayne may or may not have known. Plus, L.A. Times reporter Harriet Ryan joins to share how she helped bring Girardi’s crimes to light.
Sammy Roth visits America’s second-largest nuclear plant, Arizona’s Palo Verde Generating Station, and sits down with three experts to explore the pros and cons of atomic energy.
