BRIEFS. international

PRD faces criticism after failure of FTA

Politicians and businessmen are blaming the leadership of the Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD) for the failed effort to reach a free trade agreement with the United States.

The treaty was derailed, according to a U.S. congressman, by the election of PRD member Pedro Miguel González to the post of president of the Asamblea Nacional. González is wanted in the United States on murder charges relating to the death of a American serviceman in Panama in 1992.

"The ruling party has put their interests above those of the country, which has led to the failure of this treaty," said Domingo Latorraca, president of the Cámara de Comercio.

Cambio Democrático party leader Ricardo Martinelli was also critical of the PRD, saying that the PRD was "arrogant" in appointing González to the position just as Panama was entering a crucial stage in the treaty's negotiation.

Panama paid more than $6 million to lobbyists to promote the passage of the agreement.