Basic HTML Version
PASTOR'S REPORT, May 21, 1979
Page 9
that little or no extra expenditure would be required in turning over the
canal to Panama.
On October 22, 1977, President Carter said in Denver: "We are not taking
any taxpayers' money to pay the Panamanians." On February 1, 1978, he
repeated: "Are we paying Panama to take the canal? We are not. Under the
new treaty, any payments to Panama will come from tolls paid by ships which
use the canal."
Secretary of State Cyrus Vance promised the Senate Judiciary Committee:
"The treaties require no new appropriations, nor do they add to the burden
of the American taxpayer." Warren Christopher, deputy secretary of state,
promised the same committee: "The treaties will not require any appro
priations from the American taxpayer."
Sentate opponents of the treaty, of course, knew these professions were
not correct, but Senate liberals bought the "no-cost" package.
Panama has not made things any easier either. Its government has demanded
extra compensation for items clearly not a part of the new treaties, either
in the letter or the spirit. For example, Panama has demanded the right
to tax 180 American businesses, churches and faternal organizations in the
Canal Zone as far back as 1903 and that the U.S. restore two military
installations that haven't been used for 20 years to their original condi
tion.
It's still possible that the enabling legislation will squeak through.
It's certainly no time now to count the costs--that time was before the
U.S. Senate approved the new pacts. If the House doesn't come through,
"T-Day" will be Trouble Day for America.
--Gene H. Hogberg, News Bureau