THE STRUGGLE AGAINST NORIEGA

In: Journal of democracy, Band 1, Heft 1, S. 41-46

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE STATES THAT THE WORLD IS BADLY MISTAKEN IN VIEWING THE CRISIS IN PANAMA MAINLY AS A CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND PANAMA'S MILITARY STRONGMAN, GENERAL MANUEL ANTONIO NORIEGA. PANAMA IS THE ONLY COUNTRY WHERE THE NARCOTIC-MAFIA HAS ACTUALLY TAKEN CONTROL OF THE ARMED FORCES. NORIEGA'S POWER CONSTITUTES THE WORLD'S FIRST MILITARY REGIME. THOUGH EVERY WESTERN COUNTRY HAS A DRUG PROBLEM, NORIEGA HAS PUT PANAMA'S MILITARY FORCES AT THE SERVICE OF A MULTINATIONAL CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE THE VIEW TAKEN IN THIS ARTICLE IS AN OPTIMISTIC ONE. NORIEGA'S REGIME HAS NO FUTURE. PANAMA'S CITIZENS ARE PEACEFULLY PROTESTING HIS VIOLENT OPPRESSION. POLITICAL LEADERS IN OTHER COUNTRIES ARE BEGGINNING TO RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR INTERVENTION IN THE PANAMA PROBLEM. ALSO INCLUDED IS AN EDITOR'S NOTE STATING THAT AFTER THE ARTICLE WENT TO PRESS, U.S. ARMED FORCES INTERVENED IN PANAMA, DEPOSING THE NORIEGA GOVERNMENT AND MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR GUILLERMO ENDARA TO ASSUME THE PRESIDENCY.