IV

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104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. CON. RES. 14

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 9, 1996

Referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Urging the President to negotiate a new base rights agreement with the Government of Panama to permit United

States Armed Forces to remain in Panama beyond December 31, 1999.

Whereas the Panama Canal is a vital strategic asset to the

United States, its allies, and the world;

Whereas the Treaty on the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal signed on September 7, 1977,

provides that Panama and the United States have the responsibility to assure that the Panama Canal will remain

open and secure;

Whereas such Treaty also provides that each of the two countries shall, in accordance with their respective constitutional processes, defend the Canal against any threat to

the regime of neutrality, and consequently shall have the

right to act against any aggression or threat directed

against the Canal or against the peaceful transit of vessels through the Canal;
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SCON 14 RFH1S

Whereas the United States instrument of ratification of such

Treaty includes specific language that the two countries

should consider negotiating future arrangements or

agreements to maintain military forces necessary to fulfill

the responsibility of the two countries of maintaining the

neutrality of the Canal after 1999;

Whereas the Government of Panama, in the bilateral Protocol

of Exchange of instruments of ratification, expressly

‘‘agreed upon’’ such arrangements or agreements;

Whereas the Navy depends upon the Panama Canal for rapid

transit in times of emergency, as demonstrated during

World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam conflict, the

Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Persian Gulf conflict;

Whereas drug trafficking and money laundering has proliferated in the Western Hemisphere since the Treaty on

the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama

Canal was signed on September 7, 1977, and such trafficking and laundering poses a grave threat to peace and

security in the region;

Whereas certain facilities now utilized by the United States

Armed Forces in Panama are critical to combat the trade

in illegal drugs;

Whereas the United States and Panama share common policy

goals such as strengthening democracy, expanding economic trade, and combating illegal narcotics throughout

Latin America;

Whereas the Government of Panama has dissolved its military forces and has maintained only a civilian police organization to defend the Panama Canal against aggression; and
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SCON 14 RFH1S

Whereas certain public opinion polls in Panama suggest that

many Panamanians desire a continued United States

military presence in Panama: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—

3 (1) the President should negotiate a new base

4 rights agreement with the Government of Panama—

5 (A) taking into account the foregoing find6 ings; and

7 (B) consulting with the Congress regarding

8 any bilateral negotiations that take place.

9 SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit

10 a copy of this concurrent resolution to the President.

Passed the Senate September 5, 1996.

Attest: KELLY D. JOHNSTON,

Secretary.