Background Information Bearing Upon Panama Canal Treaty Implementing Legislation
Abstract
The signing of the Panama Canal Treaty by President Carter and General Torrijos on September 7, 1977, culminated 13 years of negotiations involving four administrations of both parties. The new Treaty will provide an entirely new basis for cooperation between the United States and Panama for operation and defense of the Panama Canal and abrogates all prior agreements between the two countries. The Treaty calls for the establishment of the Panama Canal Commission to replace on October 1, 1979, the Canal Zone Government and Panama Canal Company presently responsible for administering Canal operations, The Treaty expires on December 31, 1999, at which time Panama will assume control and responsibility for Canal operations. In this document, GAO has attempted to summarize information bearing on Congressional consideration of implementing legislation. This study deals with issues addressed by the Comptroller General during testimony before the Senate Committee on Armed Services and House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries concerning the (1) Commission's form of organization, (2) cost of public services and financial viability, (3) orderly transfer of property to and accounts receivable payments from Panama, and (4) other Treaty-related costs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 04, 1979
- Accession Number
- AD1106395
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office