February 19, 2003
U.S. Ambassador To Visit Colon
U.S. Ambassador Linda Watt plans to consult civic and business leaders in Colon February 19-20, her first official visit to the city since assuming her diplomatic post here in mid December.
The ambassador said she is eager to learn about issues and areas of concern to the people of Colon, and for that reason will participate in a roundtable discussion with civic leaders organized by the Rotarians and APEDE. In addition, she will tour the facilities of the Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) and visit the Colon Free Zone.
A member of the Episcopal Church, Ambassador Watt will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Episcopal/Anglican Church in Panama at a special Thursday-morning mass at the Christ Church by the Sea. In Colon, she hopes to gain insights into the particular needs and problems of Afro-Panamanians, an area of special focus for the American Embassy’s democracy and public outreach programs.
In addition, Ambassador Watt will meet privately with several political figures and participate in two radio interviews.