INITIAL REACTION OF GENERAL OMAR TORRIJOS HERRERA AND OTHER PANAMANIAN OFFICIALS TO RATIFICATION OF THE PANAMA CANAL NEUTRALITY TREATY <SANITIZED>

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06888267
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: September 17, 2021
• Case Number: F-2020-01126
• Publication Date: March 17, 1978

Approved for Release: 2021/09/17 C06888267
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Intelligence Information Cab IN 0429485
PAGE 001 OF 002
FURTHER DISSEMINATION AND USE OF THIS INFORMATION SUBJECT TO
CONTROLS STATED AT BEGINNING AND END OF REPORT.
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THIS IS AN INFORMATION REPORT, LI21. FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE
REPORT CLASS SE ET--wNINTEL��NDFORN.-NOCONTRACT�ORCON
01ST 17 MAR 78
:OUNTRYS PANAMA
SUBJECT: INITIAL REACTION OF GENERAL OMAR TORRIJOS HERRERA
AND OTHER PANAMANIAN OFFICIALS TO RATIFICATION OF
THE PANAMA CANAL NEUTRALITY TREATY
SOURCE:
1. SENIOR PANAMANIAN OFFICIALS wHO WERE PRESENT WITH
GENERAL OMARTORRIJOSHERRERA, CHIEF OF GOVERNMENT,
IN PANAMA CITY DURING AND AFTER THE SENATE RATIFICATION OF THE
PANAMA CANAL NEUTRALITY TREATY DESCRIBED HIS REACTION AS
DISSATISFACTION TEMPERED wITH RESIGNATION. TORRIJOS TOLD THOSE
m10 WERE PRESENT THAT. ALTHOUGH HE WAS NOT HAPPY A800 ADDITIONS
MADE TO THE NEUTRALITY TREATY, IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMAIN PAT/ENT
DURING THE PROCESS OF DEBATE AND RATIFICATION OF THE PANAMA CANAL
TREATY. TORRIJOS SAID ME WAS ESPECIALLY DISPLEASED KITH THE
SENATE RESERVATION REGARDING UNITED STATES MILITARY INTERvEtaioN
Approved for Release: 2021/09/17 C06888267
Approved for Release: 2021/09/17 C06888267
SECRET
WARNING NOTICE PAGE 002 OF �or
SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AND METHODS INVOLVED
FURTHER DISSEMINATION AND USE OF THIS INFORMATION SUBJECT TO
CONTROLS STATED AT BEGINNING AND END OF REPORT
TO RE-OPEN THE CANAL IF CLOSED, OR IF 'OPERATIONS WERE THREATENED,
BUT THAT IT WAS ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO NEGOTIATE FUTURE ADJUSTMENTS
TO MAKE THE MEASURE LESS OFFENSIVE.
2, SOME OF THOSE PRESENT WITH TORRIJOS WERE VEHEMENT IN
THEIR DENUNCIATION OF THE SENATE MODIFICATIONS TO THE NEUTRALITY
TREATY. HUGDESPADAFORA, VICE..MINISTER OF HEALTH,
WAS MOST VOCIFEROUS AND SAID HE PLANNED TO RESIGN FROM HIS POST
IN PROTEST OVER THE SENATE ACTIONS, OTHERS PRESENT CALMED HIM
DOWN AND CONVINCED HIM THAT SUCH AN ACTION wouLp BE DETRIMENTAL
TO BOTH TORRIjOS AND THE GOVERNMENT DURING SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME,
REPORT CLASS SECRET-wARNING NOTICE-SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE SOURCES
AND METHODS INVOLVED--NOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS--NOT
RELEASABLE TO CONTRACTORS OR CONTRACTOR/CONSULTANTS-.DISSEMINATION
AND EXTRACTION OF INFORMATION CONTROLLED BY ORIGINATOR.
CLASSIFIED BY RECORDED REPORTING OFFICER. XGDSe.a.
SECRET
.."!�'41
Approved for Release: 2021/09/17 C06888267