Word: panama
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1989
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Even as he publicly shrugged off the coup attempt, Noriega was negotiating with the U.S. State Department and domestic opposition leaders for a deal that would allow him to step down with some assurances of safety. William Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central America, flew to Panama City with Deputy Legal Adviser Michael Kozak. After a promising start, the talks stalled when the emissaries refused to guarantee that President Reagan would sign an Executive Order quashing drug-trafficking indictments that two grand juries brought against Noriega last month. In Washington officials denied reports that White House Chief...
Noriega also sought a deal with the National Civic Crusade, a coalition of business and professional groups that has demanded the general's departure. In return for stepping down as military chief, Noriega apparently wants to remain in Panama and to have a voice in reshaping the armed forces and the government. Crusade members insist that the general leave the country permanently...
Heightening the pressure on Noriega's opponents, Panama declared a national "state of urgency" to boost the government's power, but Panamanians were pointedly assured that their constitutional rights would not be suspended. The decree said the country was locked in an "undeclared war" with the U.S. and with political foes at home...
...point all sides agreed: Noriega's five-year reign as Panama's strongman seems to be near an end. Support for the general has withered rapidly since President Eric Arturo Delvalle tried to dismiss him as chief of | the Defense Forces last month. When Noriega flexed his muscle by engineering Delvalle's ouster instead, Washington responded by heeding Delvalle's plea for a freeze on some $50 million in Panamanian funds in U.S. banks and imposed other sanctions as well. The moves forced Panama to shut its banks, slowing down a once fast-paced economy and driving thousands, from doctors...
...containing rice, beans, salt and other basic foods meant to feed a family of five for a week. Outraged workers poured the salt on office steps and chanted anti-Noriega slogans. Firing tear gas and bird shot, riot police broke up demonstrations at the Education Ministry in Panama City and in the ports of Balboa and Cristobal. A day later doctors and nurses at two state-run hospitals hurled rocks at police and then fled inside. Showers of Molotov cocktails, stones and chairs rained on the troops from windows when they gave chase. Soldiers fired tear gas at the retreating...