HOME PRESIDENT
THE US CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE CORNER
George
H. W. Bush
“Address to Nation on
Panama
Invasion”
My fellow citizens, last
night I ordered
U.S.
military forces to
Panama
. No President takes such action lightly. This morning I want to tell you what I
did and why I did it.
For nearly two years, the
United States
, nations of Latin America and the Caribbean have worked together to resolve the
crisis in
Panama
. The goals of the
United States
have been to safeguard the lives of Americans, to defend democracy in
Panama
, to combat drug trafficking, and to protect the integrity of the
Panama Canal
treaty. Many attempts have been made to resolve this crisis through diplomacy
and negotiations. All were rejected by the dictator of
Panama
, General Manuel Noriega, an indicted drug trafficker.
Last Friday, Noriega
declared his military dictatorship to be in a state of war with the
United States
and publicly threatened the lives of Americans in
Panama
. The very next day, forces under his command shot and killed an unarmed
American serviceman; wounded another; arrested and brutally beat a third
American serviceman; and then brutally interrogated his wife, threatening her
with sexual abuse. That was enough.
General Noriega's reckless
threats and attacks upon Americans in
Panama
created an imminent danger to the 35,000 American citizens in
Panama
. As President, I have no higher obligation than to safeguard the lives of
American citizens. And that is why I directed our Armed Forces to protect the
lives of American citizens in
Panama
and to bring General Noriega to justice in the
United States
. I contacted the bipartisan leadership of Congress last night and informed them
of this decision, and after taking this action, I also talked with leaders in
Latin America, the Caribbean, and those of other
U.S.
allies.
At this moment,
U.S.
forces, including forces deployed from the
United States
last night, are engaged in action in
Panama
. The
United States
intends to withdraw the forces newly deployed to
Panama
as quickly as possible. Our forces have conducted themselves courageously and
selflessly. And as Commander in Chief, I salute every one of them and thank them
on behalf of our country.
Tragically, some Americans
have lost their lives in defense of their fellow citizens, in defense of
democracy. And my heart goes out to their families. We also regret and mourn the
loss of innocent Panamanians.
The brave Panamanians
elected by the people of Panama in the elections last May, President Guillermo
Endara and Vice Presidents Calderon and Ford, have assumed the rightful
leadership of their country. You remember those horrible pictures of newly
elected Vice President Ford, covered head to toe with blood, beaten mercilessly
by so-called ``dignity battalions.'' Well, the
United States
today recognizes the democratically elected government of President Endara. I
will send our Ambassador back to
Panama
immediately.
Key military objectives
have been achieved. Most organized resistance has been eliminated, but the
operation is not over yet: General Noriega is in hiding. And nevertheless,
yesterday a dictator ruled
Panama
, and today constitutionally elected leaders govern.
I have today directed the
Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of State to lift the economic
sanctions with respect to the democratically elected government of
Panama
and, in cooperation with that government, to take steps to effect an orderly
unblocking of Panamanian Government assets in the
United States
. I'm fully committed to implement the Panama Canal treaties and turn over the
Canal to
Panama
in the year 2000. The actions we have taken and the cooperation of a new,
democratic government in
Panama
will permit us to honor these commitments. As soon as the new government
recommends a qualified candidate -- Panamanian -- to be Administrator of the
Canal, as called for in the treaties, I will submit this nominee to the Senate
for expedited consideration.
I am committed to
strengthening our relationship with the democratic nations in this hemisphere. I
will continue to seek solutions to the problems of this region through dialog
and multilateral diplomacy. I took this action only after reaching the
conclusion that every other avenue was closed and the lives of American citizens
were in grave danger. I hope that the people of
Panama
will put this dark chapter of dictatorship behind them and move forward
together as citizens of a democratic
Panama
with this government that they themselves have elected.
The
United States
is eager to work with the Panamanian people in partnership and friendship to
rebuild their economy. The Panamanian people want democracy, peace, and the
chance for a better life in dignity and freedom. The people of the
United States
seek only to support them in pursuit of these noble goals. Thank you very much.
George H. W. Bush
delivered 20 December 1989
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