unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (08/14/89)
UN SECURITY COUNCIL: -- TAKE 7
Mr. OKUN (United States), went on to say that, prior to the current
crisis, and General Noriega's overthrow of the legal Government of Panama,
there had existed between Panama and the United States a relationship which
had been a model of co-operation between a small country and a large one.
Once Noriega gave up his illegal efforts to cling to power, and democratic
Governments was reconstituted in Panama, the United States was prepared to
resume that traditional co-operative relationship, and a joint Canal defense
effort.
He said the United States had no interest in which political parties held
power in Panama. It had worked closely in the past with the PDF party and
would do so in the future if that party won a fair election. The call for the
United States to abide by the Treaties was ridiculous -- the United States had
done so and would continue to do so. Rather, it was General Noriega who must
abide by the will of his people, who had called him to step down. The crisis
in Panama "centers on the person and conduct of General Noriega".
In calling for the present meeting, the Noriega regime wanted desperately
to find a way to cast doubt on the propriety of the support of the United
States, and thus of all others, for the democratic opposition in Panama, he
said. And it sought to portray the Council meeting as acceptance by Council
members of a claim to the legitimacy of the regime following its overwhelming
rejection by the Panamanian people. "Who here today -- apart from Noriega's
representative -- would claim that the will of the Panamanian people is
represented in the absurd complaints placed abusively before us in their name?
He said the Noriega regime's notoriety now rivaled that of some of the
worst dictatorships of the century. It was guilty of political murder and
torture, drug smuggling, money laundering, gross violations of human rights
and involvement in attempts to overthrow neighbouring democratic Governments.
The only solution to Panama's current problems was that called for by the
OAS -- for General Noriega to step down and allow the installation of a
democratic Government. False charges made in the Council could not hide that,
and the Council should waste no more of its time on them.
(END OF TAKE 7)
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