The head of U.S. military forces in Panama and Central America said Thursday he was removed less than three months before "Operation Just Cause" for his opposition to the Panamanian invasion.
Retired Gen. Fred F. Woerner said he stepped down Oct. 1, 1989, as commander of the U.S. Southern Command for "political reasons.""President Bush preferred to have someone who not only supported the measure but who could believe in it," Woerner told Utah State University international relations students.
The 34-year U.S. Army veteran who said he had "regular contacts" with Panamanian Gen. Manuel Noriega for seven years claimed his opposition to the planned invasion eventually led to his removal as head of the Southern Command.
"Even now we're seeing troops going to be pulled out so democracy can take over in Panama, and this is a country that has never seen democracy," he said.
Noriega was deposed Dec. 20, 1989, by U.S. forces and brought to Miami to face drug-trafficking charges. But Woerner said he doubts Noriega's removal will have "any serious impact" on drug trafficking in the region. And he said it sets a bad precedent.
"It may cause the United States to use force more frequently to eliminate drug-trafficking problems."
Woerner claimed the solution to U.S. consumption of illegal drugs "must be addressed within the United States.
"The United States needs to stop pointing the finger south at the producing nations and take a look in the mirror at the No. 1 consuming nation," said Woerner, who was paid $2,300 to speak at the northern Utah school.
He predicted the United States will "never eliminate production" and needs to spend more on anti-drug education programs. Woerner said the administration also should provide more economic aid to the producing countries to help turn drug growers into food farmers.