Staying One Step Ahead of Interpol

By Teresita Chism and Edward Chism

This is a true story of how a man and wife; the co-authors of this amazing experience; who gave so much to their respective countries; sacrificed, struggled and suffered through the horrors of extreme political persecution.

It is also about their flight to survive, to save their own lives after the savage U.S. Military Invasion of the Republic of Panama in December 1989; and other events, such as the Sandinista-Contra-U.S. inspired war in Central America.

In the process it will bring out the occurrence of numerous acts of deceitful cover ups, lies, dishonesty, and diverse illegal conduct by those who preached the Rule of Law.

This account will link together many of the not so legal or moral activities of the Washington right wing establishment, during the decade of the 1980s; their improper foreign policy in promoting illegal wars in Latin America; while at the same time having relations with terrorist regimes; and drug dealers, in other areas of the world.

In the process it will bring to the surface the extremes to which some power groups will resort to; in order to reach their political, personal and economic objectives; along with their avarice, greed, and self indulgence.

It will lead you to an understanding of the origins and illicit justification of some of the major cover ups of recent times. It will show, in the process, how American politicians and their Judicial System fell right into the muck and sewage, along with their self serving interests.

It is a chilling account of vengeance, pursuit, endurance, injustice, faith, mental torture; and physical danger of two people, along with their unyielding commitment to survive.

All against the perils of clandestine capture, illegal extradition; the tropical jungles, judicial persecution, envy and retribution, defamation, illicit prosecution, confiscation of assets; and an International Police hunt in the course of extremely inhospitable terrain; through guerrilla cells of insurgency and a journey across different countries.


PAGE 2 BOOK DESCRIPTION CHISM BOOK ID 57251


This will exhibit a perfect example of the perverse U.S. Consular Visa revocation process against one of Americas most committed supporters; in a dreadful showing of the astonishing improprieties and failures in the application of U.S. Diplomacy.

Events in this version will give enormous insight into the progression of the Panama Canal Treaty, mandated transfer of all U.S. Panama Canal and military assets, to the Republic of Panama. None of which would occur without a complex, extreme, painful and deadly changeover process.

It is also a story, never before told, of the monstrous effort, carried out to safeguard the operational integrity of the most important waterway in the world in favor of world shipping and commerce.

This all made possible by the resolve, loyalty, commitment and strength of the protagonists who carried the weight of the responsibilities, necessary for this to be so; even during a time when the Winds of War of the United States of America; blew incessantly stronger toward the shores of the Republic of Panama.

In the course of it all, the devastating effects of the application of the
Law de Jante will become clear to all.

Many lessons have surely been learned from these torturous events. The problem is that human minds are generally quick to forget whatever they dont wish to remember


Better by far you should forget and smile /
Than that you should remember and
Be sad.

Christina Rossetti, Remember (1862)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 10, 2009
• ISBN: 9781462807048

Teresita Chism

Teresita Tapia, a citizen of Panama and Edward Myles Chism, of the U.S., were well established in Panama, when they met and married. Teresita was an airline executive and Edward an officer of the U.S. Federal Courts. As time went on, their individual commitments to public service grew, to where Edward became the head of Coordination with the Military Forces of General Noriega; and Teresita, the Administrator of the Security / Defense Commission, the organization mandated to manage the transition of all Military issues of the transfer of the Panama Canal from the United States to the Republic of Panama.

Book preview

Copyright © 2009 by Edward and Teresita Chism.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

For Comments or Questions: Email to: [e-mail]

Cover Design by Teresita T. Chism

This book has also been published in the Spanish language.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

57251

Contents

A

BOOK SUMMARY

B

DEDICATION

C

PREFACE

PART I

BACKGROUND

PART II

U.S. MILITARY INVASION OF PANAMA

PART III

ON THE RUN IN COSTA RICA

PART IV

ESCAPE TO THE NORTH

PART V

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

PART VI

NICARAGUA: WHAT NEXT?

PART VII

ON TO MEXICO

PART VIII

YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE

A

BOOK SUMMARY

Creating history and being part of it requires huge sacrifice. In the process, life is at jeopardy with overwhelming implications.

Here is a true, accurate and precise account of the events endured by a man and his wife, related by the protagonists themselves Edward and Teresita Chism in a book that recounts their sacrifices, struggles, sufferings, accomplishments and survival. Staying One Step Ahead of INTERPOL invites you on a patriotic and personal journey to t he complex events and realities in the middle of a huge political crisis, invasion, war and quagmire of deceitful and questionable resolutions of governments .

Staying One Step Ahead of INTERPOL is a presentation of history based upon real event s and experiences. They resolved so much for their respective countries, made great sacrifices, confronted different difficulties, to have to deal with the horrors of an extreme political persecution. Recounting history from the moment they first met, how they managed their lives with a great passion of love, to the times when they both shouldered the weight and consequences of their immense individual public responsibilities; this book is replete with historical incidents and terrible experiences and battles for survival.

Staying One Step Ahead of INTERPOL exposes their historical experiences of surviving the implacable fury of extreme persecution after the military invasion by the United States upon the Republic of Panama. It brings out the fulfillment of their duties and responsibilities under the mandates of the Panama Canal Treaties of 1977. In this book, you will find their background, their work, their ordeals, their flight to Costa Rica, their efforts to escape to the north, their struggles in the jungles and mountains of Central America, to Nicaragua, Mexico, exposing themselves to all imaginable perils; while Staying One Step Ahead of INTERPOL.

This account of history finds its origin upon reality and it is what the historical events were in those times. These are all actions and events that must be clarified and exposed, once and for all and forever, because the people all of the people have the right of knowing the truth of events, be those what they may be, and not continue under the deceit and falsehoods of governments and some of their politicians.

All of this took place, in its most important circumstance, under the achievement of saving the process of the transfer of the Panama Canal to its rightful owner, the Republic of Panama within the agreements of the Panama Canal Treaties of 1977. As such, this averted that a political faction of the Extreme Right Wing in Washington, accomplish its sinister plan to circumvent important clauses of the Treaties and thus steal from the Republic of Panama, the legal and agreed return of its Canal.

Staying One Step Ahead of INTERPOL leads us to view the harsh realities of the extremes caused by treason, lies, deceit, polluted behavior and lawlessness to which many politicians and public officials are willing to revert in order to satisfy their personal avarice and political gains.

The most important fact of all of this is that the Panama Canal is today, under the control, administration, management, protection and operation of its real owners, The People of Panama, while operating at optimum conditions in complete service o f world shipping.

B

DEDICATION

To all those wonderful people who went through so much to provide each link in the chain of events crafted by God for our survival.

To those members of our family; each friend; and each individual, who gave us more kindness and love, than we understood could ever exist.

To our son, for his endurance, during such a period of uncertainty, never knowing what to expect.

To God for giving us so much; along with each link of this chain that made possible our continued existence.

Thank you all for so much compassion and trust.

TERESITA T. CHISM

THE IRON LADY OF PANAMA

PROTAGONIST & AUTHOR

photo1.jpg

"Experience is not what happens to you;

It is what you do with what happens to you."

Aldous Huxley, Readers Digest (March 1956)

C

PREFACE

This is a true story of how a man and wife; the protagonists of this amazing experience; gave so much to their respective countries; to then be forced to sacrifice, struggle and suffer through the horrors of extreme political persecution.

It is also about their flight to save their own lives; after the savage U.S. Military Invasion of the Republic of Panama in December 1989; and other events, such as the Sandinista-Contra-U.S. inspired war in Central America.

In the process it will bring out the occurrence of numerous acts of deceitful cover ups, lies, dishonesty, and diverse illegal conduct by those who preached the Rule of Law.

This account will link together many of the not so legal or moral activities of the Washington right wing establishment, during the decade of the 1980s; their improper foreign policy in promoting illegal wars in Latin America; while at the same time having relations with terrorist regimes; and drug dealers, in other areas of the world.

It will bring to the surface the extremes to which some power groups will resort; in order to reach their political, personal and economic objectives; along with their avarice, greed and self indulgence.

It will lead to an understanding of the origins and justification of some of the major cover ups of recent times.

It will show, in the process, how American politicians and their judicial system fell right into the muck and sewage, along with their self serving interests.

It is a chilling account of vengeance, pursuit, endurance, injustice, faith, mental torture; and physical danger of two people, along with their unyielding commitment to survive.

All against the perils of clandestine capture, illegal extradition; the tropical jungles, judicial persecution, envy and retribution, defamation, illicit prosecution, confiscation of assets; and an International Police hunt in the course of extremely inhospitable terrain; through guerrilla cells of insurgency; and a journey across different countries.

This will exhibit a perfect example of the perverse U.S. Consular Visa revocation process against one of America’s most committed supporters; in a dreadful showing of the astonishing improprieties and failures in the practice of U.S. Diplomacy.

Events in this account will give enormous insight into the progression of the Panama Canal Treaty mandated transfer; of all U.S. Panama Canal and military assets, to the Republic of Panama. None of which would occur, without a complex, extreme, painful and deadly changeover process.

It is also a story, never before told, of the monstrous effort carried out to safeguard the operational integrity of the most important waterway in the world; in favor of world shipping and commerce.

This all made possible by the resolve, loyalty, commitment and strength of the protagonists who carried the weight of the responsibilities, necessary for this to be so; even during a time when the Winds of War of the United States of America; blew incessantly stronger toward the shores of the Republic of Panama.

The events of this incredible journey will mark the love, generosity, kindness and sacrifice of those dedicated people who provided each link in the miraculous chain of events crafted by God for this process.

In the course of it all, the devastating effects of the application of the Law de Jante will become clear to all.

Many lessons have surely been learned from these torturous events. The problem is that human minds are generally quick to forget whatever they don’t wish to remember . . .

"Better by far you should forget and smile /

Than that you should remember and

Be sad."

Christina Rossetti, Remember (1862)

photo2.jpg

PART I

BACKGROUND

Nearly thirty years had passed, since I had committed myself to U.S. Public Service, at the time of this historical occurrence; with all of the chilling events that were to follow.

A citizen of the United States, I had been serving U.S. interests and international program in Panama during those years.

Now, after eighteen years, we will relate an authentic side of events of a major international crisis; with all of its ramifications, events, and fallout; in the before, during and after stages of the different actions involved.

The fact is, we were there, on the inside, as main protagonists; as part of the process. There are no better witnesses to these events, simply because as protagonists, we are the witnesses.

It has taken nearly all of this time, to get our emotions back into focus, to be able to return to our research materials, notes, letters, documents, files, and scripts necessary for this task. This is a job of overwhelming proportions, but it brings out events whose own historical nature requires their exposure.

In carrying this project forward, it has been our objective to offer a perspective of what dissimilar people with different motives, for similar reasons, will do and cause upon other people.

In many ways this will show great insight into real events and provide a fascinating look at diversities of human behavior.

My positions, serving U.S. interests in Panama, among others, ranged from Chief U.S. Probation Officer; in the U.S. Federal Courts; to Staff Assistant of the Administrator of the Panama Canal Commission; to Director of Coordination between the U.S. Panama Canal Agency; and the Panama Defense Forces.

During a period of my tenure, I was assigned U.S. Diplomatic Status, a fact that made me a fully accredited American Diplomat in the Republic of Panama.

At the time, the Panama Canal Commission, operated as the U.S. Government Agency; tasked with the responsibilities of running the Panama Canal; in benefit of world shipping; and the corresponding transportation of world products, trade, commodities, goods, cargo and merchandize. Its labor force was comprised by approximately 1,500 Americans, 7,000 Panamanians and some 300 third country nationals.

My wife Teresita and our small son, Fulo; and I resided in our own home, a two full floor, two story penthouse apartment on a hill in Panama City; overlooking the City and Bay of Panama.

The view over Panama was captivating. We used the home well to entertain most of the 33 U.S. Federal Judges; with whom I worked while they performed judicial assignments in Panama, during the Treaty transition period; and the orderly disestablishment; and transfer, of U.S. Federal Jurisdiction in the Panama Canal Zone.

These included some of the most revered judicial names in modern U.S. history; with whom I worked, as a principal adviser on issues of U.S. Federal Sentencing, in my position as head of one of the Court’s key areas of judicial responsibility.

During this time I served as the linchpin between the prosecutorial arm; and sentencing arm of the U.S. Federal District Court.

Having successfully worked with such a large number of distinguished U.S. Federal Judges; and Chief Judges, will always be a great sense of pride for me.

Even more importantly is that, I had the trust of each one of these judicial icons; as evidenced by their on going acceptance; and praise of my function, of providing the sentencing structure; along with a recommendation for each disposition, in every Federal criminal sentencing process, as required by U.S. law.

Also, I became very close professionally and personally; with Wayne Jackson, the then Chief of U.S. Probation in Washington, a part of the Administrative Office of United States Federal Courts. He was a remarkable man who along with his wife would always insist; we stay at their home on our visits to Washington.

One interesting fact, of many with Wayne, is that at the time, he was also a U.S. Army Major General, heading in Washington; the Military Intelligence Reserve Unit.

For the celebration of the U.S. Bi-Centenial, we had been invited by an extremely influential U.S. Senator, as his special guests. Thus we would attend the inauguration of the Smithsonian Institute’s newest museum; the National Air and Space Museum, along with other festivities at the Nation’s Capital.

We stayed during the four days we were there, with Wayne & his wife, at their beautiful home in Annandale, Virginia.

During the first morning after arriving, Wayne informed me that he had scheduled me as guest speaker, in two night’s time, at the Defense Department situation / war room.

I asked,

The real situation / war room? and Wayne replied, the one and only. Wayne quickly went on to say, that I would be speaking to a group of about 50 U.S. Intelligence Military Officers; of General and Field Grade ranks.

Wayne also informed me promptly; that I was to address the group on the subject of the military government of Panama; along with my thoughts of events to come, in relation to how these would affect the Panama Canal and U.S. interests in the region.

Wow, this was a huge assignment. No time to prepare. No one to interview. This was the year 1976; the coup in Panama had taken place in October of 1968, what was I to do for resources, for intelligence information; how would I be able to address such a distinguished group, of U.S. Senior Military Officers; at such an awesome, historical and intimidating site.

Wayne’s final words on the matter were,

I know you can do it, if not, I wouldn’t have asked you.

The evening of this event came and indeed it turned out to be a grand experience. The focus and interest of the group was simply outstanding.

I found no difficulty in speaking on that subject; and replying to questions during the better part of two hours. My visit to that awesome meeting room, where some of the nation’s top people meet, is clearly and permanently etched in my mind.

For leisure Teresita and I travelled out of Panama as often as possible, with frequent weekend trips mainly to Miami; and New York City. Her airline of employment had daily trips to those locations and this provided for excellent escapes for us.

Some of our most enjoyable sojourns were provided by a direct Panama City to New York City, flight. We took those whenever Teresita had to check a flight, check ground transportation, check a hotel; or perform any of her complex and diverse job-related responsibilities.

When we had met in the early part of the 1970s, one of many of our shared interests was that of Alpine Skiing. Teresita´s airline occupation made it possible to convert that interest into a huge passion; that took us across continents, to some of the most exotic; and challenging mountain areas of the world.

It was so much fun to ski along with her; as she was fun, challenging, aggressive, precise and above all beautiful. Her form and style gave her the appearance of very simply, dancing with the mountain. It was magical.

We did not hesitate to take one, two or three short trips, to the U.S. Rocky Mountains; when it was winter in the northern hemisphere; and usually one trip; to the Andes in Chile, when it snowed in the southern hemisphere. Skiing in Europe became routine for us, as well.

Some of our most memorable European skiing trips were those when we would purchase a European automobile, for European delivery; and then use the vehicle to travel through the German, Austrian, Swiss, Italian or French Alps. Later we would have the car shipped to Panama.

Our son, Fulo, attended Summer Camp in Lausanne, Switzerland, at the Ecole Nouvele de la Suisse Romande, during three consecutive summers during his teens, thus allowing him an above average geographical exposure to Central Europe; and the learning of French as a third language.

He vividly recalls spending two weeks between semesters in Paris, during one year; skiing atop the glaciers at Zermatt, during another; and the visit to Lugano-Locarno, where he enjoyed crossing to one of the islands on Lago Maggiori, during the third year. He had attended the Alliance Francoise in Panama since a very early age.

At one point, during one of his summer vacations, from the university; Fulo, worked in London; as an executive management trainee; with a major European Bank, BNP PARIBAS. He enjoyed an executive apartment in London, while his project development program required him to travel to Paris, New York City and other banking capitals.

Over the years, Teresita and I travelled, along with Fulo, on weekends and holidays; both internationally and locally. Close by, we visited very special places in the interior of Panama.

The country offers beautiful mountain; and ocean sites in its fascinating geography. There is no question of the fact Panama; is a country of determined physical beauty.

My family was well established in Panamanian life, business and society. It was composed mostly of two cousins, both attorneys, and their families. Their father, a brother of my paternal grandmother, had begun early on; what is today a large and well known, law firm with worldwide offices.

Teresita and I were quite frequently invited to spend weekends and holidays; at our relative’s beach and mountain enclaves; all places of extreme beauty and comfort. This also allowed very significantly, for the making and developing; some of the most remarkable personal contacts anyone could ever make.

These visits were always fun, as the relatives and people around them, were talented, charming, entertaining, accomplished, generous, and kind.

My grandmother had raised me; after I was brought from my birth city of Philadelphia, Pa., at the age of 18 months, to Panama. This was at the time my father had gone overseas; to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps; in defense of the Allied war effort in Europe.

After my father’s B-24 Liberator bomber was shot down and the entire crew perished, I remained in Panama. Here, I was raised in a rural setting, not far outside Panama City, in a community that is officially named in honor of my paternal grandmother.

At the Canal Headquarters; the Senior Management Staff was mostly American, as were most of the Bureau Directors; and other key Canal Operations personnel. Under the provisions of the Panama Canal Treaty, there was an American Administrator and a Panamanian Deputy Administrator.

The United States would complete relinquishing all jurisdiction, control, assets, and management to the Republic of Panama; at the start of the year 2000.

During the 10 year period between the years of 1989; and end of 1999, there would be a Panamanian Administrator and an American Deputy Administrator, a reversal of nationalities in the top positions; from the previous 10 year period.

During the first and second 10 year periods of operations, the Board of Directors would be formed by 9 individuals; of which 5 would be American and 4 Panamanians.

At the dawning of year 2000, the Panama Canal would be 100% totally owned; and operated by the Republic of Panama; under its own laws, people and legislation. Americans would be allowed to remain in the labor force; if they chose to do so. Many did, wishing to remain in Panama, a country many by then; had made their own.

The American Administrator, during the first 10 years, was a highly decorated U.S. Army General, who had served immediately prior, as Commander in Chief of the U.S. Forces Southern Command, also in Panama. As such he commanded all U.S. Military Forces; south of the Continental United States of America.

He was a remarkable man; certainly the most qualified choice for the challenge of running the Panama Canal.

General Dennis Phil McAuliffe, had retired from the U.S. Army; and simultaneously received the appointment of U.S. Administrator, in a ceremony presided by President Jimmy Carter.

This ceremony was attended by top military brass of the United States; and high diplomatic dignitaries of the region. It was held at Ft. Clayton, a U.S. Army Military Reservation, in the Republic of Panama.

It is important and appropriate here to recall; that General McAuliffe, was an outstanding individual, administrator and leader, who maintained a remarkable balance in all aspects of the management, operation and maintenance of the Panama Canal.

He certainly understood all the issues and challenges of the times. He had the vision to follow every path in a most correct manner; and deserves the highest credit for Canal integrity; during those critical and most rigorous times.

My wife and I shall always remember him as a true professional and great American. In fact, I am extremely proud and honored; to have served him, as a Senior Staff Member; and Member of the Office of the Administrator, during such a thrilling part of my career.

The top representative of the Republic of Panama at the Panama Canal Commission was the Hon. Fernando Manfredo, an extremely successful business entrepreneur with tested top level experience in public service and diplomacy. He was the perfect choice for the assignment of Deputy Administrator.

He complemented the Office of the Administrator in an exceptional manner becoming a most essential individual in guiding the Panama Canal through the turbulent times of the 1980s. As a result of his expertise in international relations he was able to maintain an extraordinary balance of good will between Panama and the United States, as well as the World´s Shipping Community.

We are extremely proud to have had the good fortune of working with the Hon. Fernando Manfredo and his highly distinguished family. His numerous contributions to the Panama Canal and his long list of accomplishments worldwide are a matter of public record.

Panama and the U.S. Panama Canal Zone were home to over some 30 thousand U.S. military personnel, of which many served in-country with their families.

Beyond the U.S. Forces mission of defending the Panama Canal; and all related operations, the military also provided rapid response teams; ready to assist in any emergency or natural disaster; anywhere in Latin America and the Caribbean regions.

This was often seen in times of hurricanes, earthquakes; and the serious eruption of volcanic activity, as well as any other possible disaster.

In Panama, the U.S. Forces historically assisted; on an ongoing regular basis, with all types of issues; such as search and rescue, emergency support, logistical support; and significant civic action; more often seen in the joint task programs of rural road building; and various types of construction assistance.

By tradition, the relations between U.S. Military Forces and the Nation of Panama were excellent.

The main role, however, was that of assuring that the purpose, for which the Canal was built, following Panama’s independence from Colombia in 1903, be kept safe and protected.

Panama’s location in the geography of the Western Hemisphere, offers it an incomparable strategic location.

This U.S. built and operated structure, the Panama Canal, often referred to as one of the wonders of the world would remain in U.S. hands until its Treaty mandated transfer to Panama.

The historical and recurring point of contention; of Panama towards the United States; regarding the Panama Canal; was not the Canal itself or the U.S. military, but the area of land referred to as the U.S. Canal Zone and the Americans, who resided therein; commonly known as Zonians.

Panama simply believed time was well beyond, that of having a Colonial American Enclave; right in the middle of its best areas of national territory. It was considered and insult, in every sense.

For many years, it was required that citizens of Panama have a separate driver’s license, to drive in the area of the Canal Zone. The list of restrictions and prohibitions for citizens of Panama was interminable.

Imagine being a non resident of Washington, D.C., but a U.S. citizen, and being required to have a separate Washington D.C. issued driver’s license, in order to be able to drive there.

This was a U.S. imposed situation in Panama.

But here it was worse. Panama was not part of the U.S.

Yet, the U.S. operated a federal police force in Panama; U.S. Federal Courts in Panama; U.S. Customs in Panama; U.S. Marshalls in Panama; and so on.

Certainly all of this provided some very strong points of friction and conflict. The people of Panama generally believed this was cause, for one of the most serious affronts; any friendly nation could make to another.

Basically this was the foundation; to what led to the negotiation and adoption of the Panama Canal Treaties; which provided for the return of the Canal; and its territories to Panama. It was by far the just and right thing to do; under all circumstances.

The events for this action had entered the final transition stages in April 1982. On that date, the federal police and federal courts had been disestablished entirely.

Today, nine years into the complete turnover to Panama, the Canal is better than ever; and is being enlarged and expanded; so as to handle increased traffic, as well as the largest vessels and floating equipment in the world.

The former restricted territory of the past U.S. Canal Zone, has integrated nicely; into the socio-economic development of Panama’s growth. This has also served significantly; to unify the City’s East & West areas of territory; previously seriously severed, by the occupation of the United States. In fact, all progress since the return of the Canal has been remarkable.

It was obvious by then of the tremendous amount of work; in all areas of concern, such as political, training, technical, preservation of resources and the changes in philosophy; that needed to take place.

The Canal Treaties provided for many types of transition teams; to tackle all the challenges ahead; in the accomplishments of a smooth and effective transition; from U.S. to Panamanian control.

During this time, and since October of 1968, Panama was governed by a benevolent military government, which some people categorized as a dictatorship; something that had been fairly common in Latin America; in those times, in order to establish order and control; over runaway out of control civilian governments, of right wing oligarchs.

History has proven, that in order to properly cope with the run-away disorders of government, by the forces of wealth and glitter, a strong government, here and there, has been the appropriate balancing and corrective measure.

Such events have been important to attempt to get the playing field back to as close to even; as possible.

The Head of Government in Panama was the Commander in Chief of the Panama Defense Forces; a professional military component, of approximately 20 thousand; well trained and well equipped military and civilian personnel. During the decades of the late 60s, 70s and early 80s, the Head of Government was an officer who had established his early military career by graduating from an elite military academy in the central American country of El Salvador.

General Omar Torrijos Herrera, was an extremely humanitarian leader who looked after the welfare of the needy and less fortunate people in his country while at the same time getting along well with all other sectors of people in Panama. With the rich and pompous he had no problems since he gave them excessive privileges and some of the juiciest embassies and diplomatic posts, as well as huge economic opportunities and advantages. In that regard he ran a lais-sez-faire government. The rich got all what they wanted and they caused no problems. Well, what else is new in these situations.

The most remarkable achievement of Head of Government General Omar Torrijos Herrera was the fact of bringing together the proper people in a correct environment of negotiations between his government and the administration of U.S. President Jimmy Carter for the accomplishment and ratification of the Panama Canal Treaties in 1977. This fact did not mean there would not be numerous problems ahead in the implementation of this very process. The problems and impediments would be many and they would be huge.

This text will bring to light many of the problems and situations that nearly led to the reversal of the Panama Canal Treaties after the Washington government was taken over by the extreme right wing faction of Reagan and Bush.

At one point in the time line leading to the military invasion of Panama by the United States, it was almost certain the Panama Canal would be negated to Panama via the forced excuse that Panama was unable to properly protect, maintain and operate the inter oceanic waterway so vital to world shipping in the transport of world commerce. A lot of this came from the undertow of lies from the Zonian population of the Canal operating areas.

There is no doubt these were highly unusual times in the relations of the two nations involved. Times that required incredible resolve and highly skilled negotiations and fortitude. Perhaps equally vital was the importance of having well placed people contacts in the right places in both governments. This is precisely the area in which the protagonists and authors of this historical account excelled beyond anyone´s wildest expectations, comprehension or imagination.

This structure of Panamanian Government was generally very friendly; and cooperative with U.S. interests.

The decade of the 1980s was crowned by numerous events; of high significance between Panama and the United States; ranging from those of intimate friendship, cooperation, consideration, Canal Asset transfer events; to acts of growing hostilities between both governments; to the final act, of the ill fated U.S. Military Invasion of Panama, during the night of December 19, 1989.

Its worse fault, under General Noriega, was that it did not allow for the oligarchs of Panama; to continue to be the owners of the orchestra, dance parlor and the dance itself. And of course, the revenues derived from ownership of the dance.

The issue of owning the dance is quite elementary.

As part of the need for joint work and understanding; in the monumental task of the transition, of all related and treaty mandated issues; from the U.S. to Panama, the powers to be in both governments designated me, as the linchpin, between General Noriega and the U.S. Panama Canal Commission.

The title of the position was, Director of Coordination.

The position mandated a smooth handling of all legal and custody issues involving Americans; but soon evolved into the handling of A through Z, between Panama and the U.S. Mission in Panama.

Operational offices for this work; were established by the U.S. at both the Pacific and Atlantic Districts, of the Panama Canal Area.

The Program, which I directed, recorded over one thousand cases of interaction per month. Usually every challenge was resolved favorably; to the satisfaction of the United States mission and the Panama Defense Forces. It was a two way; bi-national operation.

At this stage of events, this relationship and management of events; related primarily, to U.S. civilian; non-U.S. military matters and personnel. The canal treaties provided separately for the military side.

My orders from my United States superiors; were to assure, to take whatever steps were necessary; to guarantee the Panama Canal was kept safe and unimpeded by any events of any nature; to reassure the welfare and safety of U.S. personnel; and that the Panama Canal’s every point of integrity be safeguarded.

To this end I was instructed, to give the Panama Defense Forces whatever they requested; whatever they needed. Total and complete cooperation was vital.

Material items were not an issue, the operational integrity and safety; of the Panama Canal, was the issue. It was an enormous matter; that affected in different ways the entire world.

For this, only the very best relationships; based on dignity, understanding, teamwork, collaboration, skill, intelligence, respect, solidarity, sincerity and mutual aid would be necessary. This became my principal challenge, my top responsibility and mission; for the United States of America.

The Office of Coordination performed with the highest levels of diligence; and in every way met its mission objectives and operational mandates. The Panama Canal was kept at all times; fully operational, totally uncompromised, safe and inviolable.

This brought much credit from the Shippers of the world; and reflected admirably on the U.S. Government, at every level.

Moreover, everyone got their grain, lumber, cement, food and Toyotas on time; no matter what continent they lived in. Americans were protected and kept out of harms way at all times.

As an example, of many job related experiences, I can reflect back; to the Saturday morning, when I was on my boat some ten miles off the coast