Our Changing Role in Panama: An Overview
Abstract
Many proponents have hinted that approval of the treaties will make relations between the United States and Panama completely harmonious for the rest of the century. History fails to support such optimism. Even before the treaties go into effect, there may be pressures applied to reduce the US troop level, to close bases, and so forth. But keep in mind that the treaties are the direction in which to move. Our mission is to assure US use of the canal in the future, and the treaties are designed to perform the basic military task of minimizing the risk involved in accomplishing that mission. The treaties and accompanying documents contain a trove of provisions which change relationships long endured. All parties to them must develop understanding and exercise cooperation to make them work. The situation is perhaps analogous to a sumptuous feast. We need to chew and digest the food properly, for if we gulp it down in haste, we will surely encounter discomfiture rather than nourishment. Thus far, together with the Panamanians, we appear to be chewing the food well.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA511707
Entities
People
- Norman M. Smith
Organizations
- United States Army War College