Waited in Vain for $50 Million From Libya, Officer Says
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WASHINGTON — Libya promised to donate $50 million to help prop up Panama’s leader, Gen. Manuel A. Noriega, but the funds never materialized, a Panamanian air force defector said Tuesday.
Maj. Augusto Villalaz, who took part in a failed coup attempt against Noriega last week, told a news conference that he flew to Cuba two weeks ago on Noriega’s orders to pick up a Cuban arms shipment along with the Libyan cash.
After waiting several hours, he said he was ordered to return to Panama without the money.
Libya was one of the few nations to recognize the new Panamanian government of President Manuel Solis Palma, who was installed last month after President Eric A. Delvalle was deposed by the National Assembly.
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