‘Panama is Shah’s jail,’ says official

Press, 8 February 1980, Page 1

‘Panama is Shah’s jail,’ says official

NZPA-Reuter Panama City

Panama’s? Foreign Minister (Dr Carlos Ozores) said yesterday that the former Shah of Iran cannot leave Panama, adding that “the country is his jail.” He said the deposed monarch could not leave the country, where he has lived since December 15, for what he called obvious reasons. He did not elaborate. Government sources said the reasons involved Iran’s request for the Shah’s extradition. However, almost at. the Same time, Panama’s President Pristides Royo told an American television correspondent, that the Shah was not under restraint nor arrest and that he could go anywhere he wanted. The Panamanian National Guard is guarding the deposed monarch, President Royo said, apparently for his protection. President Royo made his statement after an aide Had declined to discuss the matter.

. Mr Jose Montano, the National television director, declared in a telephone interview: “The Minister of Foreign Relations, for many reasons, has said the Shah cannot leave the

country. I cannot give you the explanation. It is long and very complicated and legal. It is a delicate matter.”

In an interview with Reuters, Dr Ozores said: “For practical purposes the Shah can move about freely within Panamanian territory, but continually under custody of the National Guard.”