Word: noriega
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...Noriega's ability to hang on in the face of fierce opposition from the U.S. stems mainly from his tactic of buying or winning the support of a handful of key officers within the military. He has convinced some leaders of the 17,000- strong Panama Defense Forces of two dubious propositions: first, that the country's political opposition will eviscerate the PDF if it comes to power; second, that he alone represents the military's best interests. The soldiers, says a foreign diplomat, "view Noriega as the keystone in an arch; without him the arch will crumble...
...Panama, where civilian opponents of the regime are noticeably more pro- interventionist than their neighbors in the region, there was also considerable grumbling. "The U.S. is like a dog that barks a lot but bites not at all," said opposition leader Ricardo Arias Calderon. On Thursday, Noriega ordered a crackdown to weed out traitors. That night, P.D.F. troops attacked the opposition headquarters and hauled away several people, including Endara. The opposition leader was later released and at week's end was holed up inside the Vatican embassy...
Moreover, the steady U.S. pressure is having its effect. So is Noriega's behavior. Leaders throughout the hemisphere have made clear their disdain for the Panamanian regime. Following the sham elections in May, many countries withdrew their ambassadors from Panama, and they have yet to send them back. "Noriega is dividing the Latin community over what to do about him, but everyone is upset with the situation," says a Latin leader. "Even the Cubans don't want him there...
...triumphant fist waving, Noriega could hardly feel reassured by last week's events. The rebellion was the second failed attempt against him by the Panamanian military in the past 18 months, raising questions about whom the general can trust among his forces. Although a housecleaning of the P.D.F. will follow, Noriega can no longer count on even his inner circle. "This was no gringo plot," says a source close to Noriega. "This came from the general's inner core." That much, at least, can give Panamanians -- and Washington -- hope that Noriega's days are numbered...
NATION: Did the U.S. fumble its best chance to topple Noriega -- or avoid an ill-planned blunder...