[Editor’s note: While some portions of this serial have still not been released, those which have are denoted below in red type.]
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
COMMUNICATION MESSAGE FORM
DATE: 1/11/79
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLAS
PRECEDENCE: PRIORITY
FM DIRECTOR FBI (89-4286)
TO SAN FRANCISCO PRIORITY
BT
UNCLAS
RYMUR.
Legat, Mexico City (89-25) advised by teletype January 11, 1979, as follows:
ReMextel December 26, 1978, and San Francisco airtel with three copies of a grand jury subpoena to be served in Panama dated December 7, 1978.
[Paragraph deleted]
Prior to the above information, Legat, Mexico City was in
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receipt of Butel dated December 8, 1978, wherein San Francisco had advised of the bank accounts at the UBS in Panama and requested that Legat, Mexico City identify, locate assets and the status of the accounts in this matter. Immediately thereafter, Legat, Mexico City, through liaison, requested [high official in the Panamanian government to conduct the logical investigation.] By teletype dated December 21, 1978, the Bureau advised that Legat, Bern had [ascertained that the three accounts were not located at the UBS in Switzerland, but were presumed to be in Panama.] Mexico City was requested in that teletype to determine if [a safe deposit box was also located at the UBS in Panama].
In view of the foregoing, there is some uncertainty as to whether Bureau instructions received in Butel of December 8, 1978, have been amended or rescinded with regard to the handling of leads in Panama in captioned matter. In addition, referenced airtel was forwarded by the Bureau and calls for service in Panama of an enclosed grand jury subpoena. The force and effect in Panama of a subpoena issued in the US is unknown to this office. It would quite probably depend on
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the terms of any formal agreement between the two countries dealing with judicial assistance. Like extradition, the implementation of any such formal agreement should probably be handled through the State Department and the Embassy in Panama City.
Bureau advice will be appreciated. UACB [Unless Advised to Contrary by the Bureau], no further action being taken in Panama until additional specific Bureau instructions are received.
Armed and dangerous; suicidal tendencies.
BT