PANAMA CANAL authorities have dissociated themselves from the Panamanian government's decision to support Washington's war effort in Iraq. The canal administration has reiterated the waterway's neutrality after Panama signed a Central America accord in support of the US military campaign.
In a statement aimed at calming any international fears, the administration says the canal's neutrality agreement guarantees the "impartiality" of the waterway in the present war. Néstor Jaén, president of Panama's Ecumenical Committee, has criticised the government's decision, saying it endangers the canal which he claims is incapable of being defended against a terrorist act.
Security experts have warned that the canal is a prime target for anti-US terrorists who believe the US economy would be hurt if they could reduce US export and import flow, heavily reliant upon the canal. Panama last week stepped up canal security as part of heightened national protection measures.
- Fairplay News
