US invasion of Panama killed 4 000: Lawyer

PANAMA CITY. At least 4 000 people were killed during the United States invasion of Panama, far more than the 500 in the official toll, according to a former US Attorney- General, Mr Ramsey Clark, who is investigating human rights violations in Panama.

Clark alleged that there was “an official conspiracy of silence on the number of people who died” when he addressed a Press conference in Panama City.

“There is a strong motive for not counting the dead. Humanity should pay attention to this point,” he said.

The Ecumenical Committee of Panama said on Saturday that the US government should pay for the devastation that resulted from the military assault by 26 000 US soldiers that brought down the Panamanian government.

The committee asked that “the United States accept its responsibility to repair the damage” and end the suffering, “especially by the poor.”

Business groups say they suffered more than US$1 billion in damage from looting, fires, explosions and gunshots.

In Washington, it is reported that the US invasion of Panama may have given the Soviet Union the moral high ground in superpower relations and thrown President George H.W. Bush on the diplomatic defensive.

Amid national euphoria over the operation, critics say the invasion to grab General Manuel Noriega contrasted sharply with Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev’s decision to allow East European allies to go their own way.

“We’re getting to look like we’re more warlike than the Soviets,” said Admiral Stansfield Turner, President Jimmy Carter’s Central Intelligence Agency director from 1977 to 1981.

The Vatican gave refuge to Gen Noriega in its Panama mission because he threatened to order massacres, a Papal envoy said in Rome.

“He gave me 15 minutes: either I welcome him or else he would immediately unleash guerrilla warfare on the (north-west) region of Chiriqui. He threatened massacres,” said Papal Nuncio in Panama, Monsignor Jose

Sebastian Laboa, who negotiated with US and Panamanian officials for 10 days while Gen Noriega was in custody.

Meanwhile, the deposed Panamanian military strongman Gen Noriega had arrived in the United States on January 4, to face drug trafficking charges after he handed himself over to US authorities in Panama City, ending a 10-day siege at the Vatican embassy. – Ziana-AP-Reuters

LESSONS FOR TODAY

Almost every US president has been an aggressor, and their macho actions lead to the death of many people; causes misery, displacement, destabilisation and poverty. Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan are some of the few examples.

towards the end of the 20th Century is among many invasions carried out by the US, where they justify their actions of maintaining democratic tenets. But the contrast is that their actions are against international law, like the assassination of the Iranian General last Friday.

treat leaders like bubble gum. After using them, they spew them out, because they will be spent forces.

Gen Noriega was a paid CIA functionary when George H. W. Bush headed the CIA in the mid1970s and the US drug enforcement agency praised him for cooperating with them while he was allegedly involved with drug traffickers.

When they wanted him out, they treated him like a dog, because their interests are paramount.

not counting the dead. Humanity should pay attention to this point.” This is an international phenomenon, especially when there is civil strife.