Panama Clergy Condemn Election Fraud

PANAMA CITY, Panama--Churchgoers applauded nationwide yesterday as Roman Catholic clergy read a letter condemning fraud and violence in the national elections, a message that even was broadcast on state-run television.

At Iglesia del Carmen, in an affluent neighborhood of the capital, the congregation applauded for several minutes after the letter was read. Members of the congregation waved white paper, white handkerchiefs and Panamanian flags after the service.

Opposition supporters handed out leaflets urging people to stage similar displays during a 24-hour general strike Wednesday to protest election fraud and violence by supporters of military ruler Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega.

The opposition called for unspecified displays of protest at Sunday's church services. Except for applause for the letter, no incidents were reported.

Meanwhile, nearly 1900 newly deployed U.S. troops dispatched by President Bush settled into tents around bases a few miles from the city.

"This place is nice from what I've seen. I talked to some Panamanians last night, and I doubt if they'll have to use us," said Army Pfc. Michael Grant of the 5th Division from Fort Polk, ca.

Bush deployed the troops following widespread reports of fraud during the May 7 presidential vote and violence against opposition candidates. The additional troops will back up the 10,000 American soldiers already in Panama.

Opposition leaders say their candidate, Guillermo Endaro, easily defeated Noriega's hand-picked candidate, Carlos Duque, in the presidential race. Endaro and other opposition candidates were severely beaten by Noriega supporters during protests that followed the election debacle.

The government nullified the election results.

The Panamanian government, which has issued few statements all week, had no reaction to Bush's call Saturday for Panamanians and the nation's 15,000-member Defense Forces to oust the general. As head of the Defense Forces, Noriega is the country's de facto ruler.

The government did say that the country was so calm Saturday that many soldiers were given leave. Few troops were visible, even at the central barracks where Noriega lives.

The pastoral letter, issued Thursday by Archbishop Marcos McGrath and other bishops of the Roman Catholic Episcopal Conference of Panama, was read byCatholic clergy nation-wide and asked the DefenseForces not to use arms against "a defenselesspeople."

Church support for fair elections is a newfactor in the political equation here, where thechurch has not been as influential as it is inNicaragua or El Salvador.

Wednesday's general strike is to coincide witha meeting of the Organization of American Statesin Washington to discuss the Panamanian situation.

The Panamanian government maintains the meetingshould focus on U.S. interference in Panama. Theopposition says the meeting should focus onelection fraud and political repression