UN General Assembly
1992

now taking to take over the administration and operation of our inter-oceanic canal, in keeping with the 1977 Treaty. Our country will assume full ownership and autonomous management of the Canal on the last day of this century. In the meantime, some of the improvements made by the United States in the inter-oceanic region have been handed over to the Republic of Panama; other improvements will become Panamanian property when the canal itself is handed over. My Government has carried out many internal consultations on the subject and has drawn up the legal framework for the administration and utilization of these improvements. This is a commitment that Panamanians have unhesitatingly made to the rest of the world. Moreover, together with our partner in the Canal the United States - we are members of a number of national and bi-national commissions preparing for the transfer of functions at the appointed hour. Finally, in another commission, made up of Panama, the United States and Japan, alternatives to the Panama Canal are being studied in order to determine the best way to