opinion

Also in this section:
Silié, The democratic expansion of the Panama Canal
N. Jackson, Unraveling the cloak of secrecy
E. Jackson, Two elections in two countries and their presidential implications
Sirias, A "new" Daniel Ortega?
Sánchez, Washington plays its Honduran card
Emeagwali, Ideas are more important than money in ending poverty
Avnery, A massacre by any ordinary usage
Wallis, An election about moral values

Human Rights Watch, Peru cracks down on NGOs

Ryan, Cuba finds itself with good energy prospects
Committee to Protect Journalists, Cuban journalist put under house arrest

Leis, The totally unacceptable US economic blockade against Cuba

The Greater Caribbean This Week

Democratic expansion

of the Panama Canal

by Rubén Silie

The Panama Canal has a long history whose initial stages were very much linked to an era of foreign domination. This included the disregard for national sovereignty and other types of imperial impositions that overlooked the desires of the peoples of the region. This grand project began at a time when there was a whirlwind of great economic interests sparked by the gold fever in California, or the increase in lumber, coffee and banana exploits in Central America. The metropolitan powers undoubtedly procured that wealth under protectorate schemes, constitutional amendments or simply through military occupations.

Nationally, all of this took place within a context of prevailing authoritarianism, where the only interests that were taken into account were those of the dominant social classes, represented by certain exclusive governments. In such circumstances, the Panamanian people were not considered to be significant individuals with decision making capabilities.

Once the initial agreements were signed for the great construction project, the United States assumed sovereignty over the territory, installing military bases, because of which the Panamanians permanently lost all rights to venture into the zone. The symbolic act of flying the Panamanian flag in that zone was in itself a great problem that even led to the death of several young people who, driven by patriotic fervour, attempted to hoist the national symbol in the occupied territory.

General Omar Torrijos was a man with an unmistakable nationalistic and revolutionary vocation and when he assumed power, a strategy was developed for the Panamanians to recover the Panama Canal. In order to accomplish that, a campaign was launched to foster awareness in the major international forums, not only in the United Nations, but also in the Socialist International, the Non-Aligned Movement and all types of popular organisations that were sympathetic to the recovery of that piece of Panamanian sovereignty. For the most part however, as the champion of his own people, General Torrijos won the trust of his compatriots, who accompanied him in great numbers in this claim, until the signing of the Torrijos-Carter treaties, which established that control would be returned to Panama in 1999.

 Once the Panamanian authorities assumed full control of their territory, they began to consider the possibilities of carrying out the efforts previously set in motion with respect to expanding the locks. This matter was broached during the 1940’s, but the United States never followed up on the initiative. Later on, a study conducted in 1993 by the United States, Panama and Japan recommended the construction of new locks.

As a great historic coincidence, it so happens that it is up to President Martín Torrijos to continue the work of his father by managing the expansion of the locks, with full sovereignty over the territory. Furthermore, this situation is f ar removed from the one in which the construction of the canal began --- in this case the expansion has been approved within a democratic environment where the sovereign will of the Panamanian people has prevailed. Panamanians have indicated their support for that initiative in a completely free referendum, where 70% of the voices expressed were in favor of the idea of the expansion.

That referendum has been in turn an exercise of both national sovereignty and democracy, since the approach used during the process helps to strengthen the values of democracy and participation by the people. We are certain that the commencement of this enormous undertaking will enhance the canal’s competitiveness, providing a greater capacity to receive vessels and increasing regional trade facilities, all of which will serve as an essential factor for boosting the development of that isthmus nation.

Dr. Rubén Silié Valdez is the Secretary General of the Secretariat of the Association of Caribbean States. The opinions expressed are not necessarily the official views of the ACS. Comments and reactions can be sent to mail@acs-aec.org

Silié, The democratic expansion of the Panama Canal
N. Jackson, Unraveling the cloak of secrecy
E. Jackson, Two elections in two countries and their presidential implications
Sirias, A "new" Daniel Ortega?
Sánchez, Washington plays its Honduran card
Emeagwali, Ideas are more important than money in ending poverty
Avnery, A massacre by any ordinary usage
Wallis, An election about moral values

Human Rights Watch, Peru cracks down on NGOs

Ryan, Cuba finds itself with good energy prospects
Committee to Protect Journalists, Cuban journalist put under house arrest

Leis, The totally unacceptable US economic blockade against Cuba