France : A U.S. State Department spokeswoman declines to comment on the matter . Noriega 's U.S. sentence , originally for 30 years , ended in September 2007 after time off for good behavior . Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Santos will have a chance to appeal the extradition . French officials say the ` ` consent of the United States '' allows the process to start . Panama requests Noriega 's release on charges he had a political rival behind .
France : A U.S. State Department spokeswoman declines to comment on the matter . Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Santos will have a chance to appeal the extradition . French officials say the ` ` consent of the United States '' allows the process to start . Panama requests Noriega 's release on charges he had a political rival behind .