Several reasons already existed for the United States to maintain a military presence in Panama after the 1999 deadline for withdrawal under the 1977 Panama Canal Treaties. U.S. drug czar Barry McCaffrey has added another one.
McCaffrey believes American troops should remain in Panama in part to help make a reality of President Ernesto Perez Balladares' proposal to host a regional counter-narcotics center at a U.S. military base.The proposed center would be located at Howard Air Base, where a U.S. anti-drug task force has operated since 1992. Such a strategically placed anti-drug post could help stem the flow of drugs to the United States from other Latin American countries.
Panama has more than 110 banks, and U.S. officials say lax regulations have allowed tens of millions of dollars in drug money to be laundered annually. A joint Panamanian-U.S. counterattack against drug traffickers is needed to continue the battle against the drug trade.
About 6,800 U.S. military personnel at seven bases are due to leave by Dec. 31, 1999. Both governments are seeking to hold talks on how to maintain an American presence, despite sensitivity among Latin American countries about American interventions in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Another compelling reason for keeping American control over the bases and their facilities is that Panamanians don't seem able to maintain the properties that have already been turned over to them. It would be a waste of resources to allow the facilities to fall into disrepair because of Panama's negligence or poor planning.
The Panama Canal is an "international treasure," as McCaffrey has said. The drug czar, a former Army general who was chief of the Panama-based U.S. Southern Command when President Clinton tapped him for the anti-drug job early this year, is respected by regional leaders for helping put together anti-drug efforts.
If McCaffrey has a major role in the regional center, it has a good chance of being successful in an anti-drug battle. It's one more reason Americans should continue to be involved in Panama.