From: nlns@igc.apc.org (New Liberation News Service)
Subject: NLNS: 'THE PANAMA DECEPTION'
Organization: The Ohio State University Department of Computer and Information Science
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1992 14:41:03 GMT

/* Written  6:19 pm  Sep 29, 1992 by nlns in cdp:nlns.news */
/* ---------- "NLNS Packet 3.2 *** 9/28/92" ---------- */

New Movie To Expose "The Panama Deception"

(NLNS)--Witnesses in Panama say that the protests during George 
Bush's visit to Panama on June 11, during which he was tear gassed 
and rushed off the stage of Panama City's Parque Porras, involved an 
estimated 1000 to 2000 Panamanians from various walks of life, 
equaling the number of Bush supporters. This contradicts officials 
reports that only a small group of "leftists" accounted for the 
disruption. In addition, 100 Panamanians were arrested during the 
June 11 demonstrations, and some Panamanian human rights workers 
and opposition leaders have been threatened or forced into hiding to 
avoid arrest and political persecution. A new film being released by 
the Empowerment Project hopes to expose the atrocities committed 
in Panama by the Bush Administration since the 1989 invasion of 
that country.
	According to Barbara Trent, director of the soon-to-be-
released feature-length documentary, The Panama Deception, 
"Thousands of Panamanians were killed during the invasion and 
countless bodies were buried in mass graves.  Fourteen of these 
graves have already been identified." Despite the struggle of 
Panamanian activists to exhume the graves, only three have been dug 
up thus far.
	Trent continues, "Since the invasion, hundreds of individuals 
have been forced underground to escape arrest and political 
persecution. What has happened to [them] is indicative of the 
oppression and human rights violations which continue in Panama as 
a result of the US military invasion, and which have been furthered 
by US government policies."
	"We know that most Americans have no idea what really 
happened during the invasion of Panama, and what has gone on there 
since," said Joanne Doroshow, a producer of The Panama Deception. 
"Our film uncovers this alarming story. It shows how the US military 
ravaged and bombed entire neighborhoods in Panama, killing 
thousands and creating a massive new population of homeless and 
refugees in Panama. It traces the United States' historical, 
exploitative relationship with Panama and exposes the true 
motivations for the invasion, which had little to do with Noriega. It 
discusses the longstanding relationship between Noriega and Bush. 
And it explains how and why the US government and the major US 
media have censored information and deceived the public.
	"Some of our footage has never been seen before in this 
country, including shots of ongoing demonstrations and major social 
unrest in Panama since the invasion. People in Panama are disgusted 
with George Bush and with the corrupt Endara government, which we 
installed on a US military base just hours before the invasion. 
Knowing what we know, it is incredible to us that George Bush would 
even consider going there. Even the US military Southern Command in 
Panama advised him against the visit. He apparently needs to see our 
film," said Doroshow.
	The Panama Deception's producers, the Empowerment Project, 
producers of the award-winning 1988 film COVERUP: Behind the Iran 
Contra Affair, have organized September openings for the film in 
over 20 cities around the US.  For more information about when the 
film is coming to a theatre near you, or how to arrange a showing, 
please contact:

Empowerment Project 1653 18th St.  Suite #3 Santa Monica, CA 
90404 (310) 828-8807 [Eric Castillo] fax:(310) 453-4347 or on the 
East Coast (212) 251-0817 [Joanne Doroshow].

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