Carter - Present Flashcards
What did the new treaty secure for Panama?
Implemented in the 1980s. 60% of CZ and full watershed given to Panama, railroad, ports. Panama took over policing and courts in CZ. US starts to dismantle CZ. Commission to manage canal (4 Panamanians, 5 US), bi-national management.
How did US policy towards Panama change under President Carter?
Wanted to give Panama fair deal, shouldn’t mistreat them, risk, Pentagon/public/Congress opposition, Carter could only do something in his first year. Pentagon signed off on new treaties as long as bases not compromised. Ratification battle in Congress. Boiler room operation to try and convince public, passed by one vote.
Why didn’t the new treaty work well? What changed the US Panamanian relationship in the 1980s?
US hostility towards Panamanian dictator (MAN) who had taken over from Torijos. Fake elections, puppet leaders. 1984 elections, US hoped civilian would win and diffuse the situation. Between Barletta (economist, US support) and Arias (populist). PDF lost ballot boxes, Barletta wins, people thought elections rigged. Worsening military situation, Arias becomes dictator, Barletta overthrown for trying to implement reforms. Exchanged intelligence with international leaders, Pentagon sees this as a threat.
What did the US do to tackle MAN?
Withdrew funding from Panama, World Bank stopped loans, stopped shipping US dollars to Panama (Panama had adopted the US$), economy crashes despite aid from some other countries. Disintegration of relationship. Reagan planned to strike deal with MAN, Bush Snr. elected, kills deal so Reagan doesn’t get credit. Americans still living in Panama.
What did the US do in 1989?
19th December, invaded Panama, captured military HQ, garrisons, soldiers, but not MAN. 1990 caught MAN who hid in a Vatican Embassy. MAN turned himself over, tried in Miami, jailed for 25 years in US, moved to Panamanian jail. Gunboat diplomacy.
What was the aftermath of America’s invasion of Panama?
Panama City badly destroyed, Congress gave $1 billion to Panama to rebuild and to make up for cutting off military aid, biggest US military operation between Vietnam and Desert Storm. Canal authorities took three candidates (from where?) and swore them in as President and Vice-President. US control of Panama, didn’t want to stay long. Tried to fix government and economy.
How did Panama changed politically post-1990?
Populist President Arias won (?) 1990 election, his widow stood in 1999 election - Mireya Moscoso. Country came out of depression caused by invasion. 1994 constitutional amendment replaces army with new police force.
How did the process to turn over the canal continue in the 1990s?
Hindered by Arias, didn’t believe US would live up to promise, allowed Panama Canal administrator to be Panamanian 1990, groomed successor by US predecessor. 1994 re-election, Arias couldn’t stand, Balladares won, neo-liberal, worked under Woriega and Torijos. Hadn’t had a clean election for 20 years, new election laws written. Ethical campaign procedures, disclose all sources of funding, election tribunal. Very clean election.
How did Panamanian politics change under Balladeres?
Banker/politician, capitalist. Washington Consensus - keep budget under control, no defects, pare back civil service, can’t subsidise food/transport/basic services, control inflation, privatise government enterprises that often lose money, Balladeres (“Toro”) privatised services inc. ports and railroad between Colon and Panama City.
How did Panama’s relationship with the US improve under Balladeres?
Helped Clinton, crisis in Haiti, took refugees who had travelled to Florida into Panama, vetted them for US citizenship or repatriation.
How smoothly was the turnover of the canal in 1999?
1999 prepare for turnover, Pentagon shutting down schools/bases throughout decade, 1996 moved High Command to Miami (Southern Command). 1 airbase still remained open, need airstrip to leave, hoping Panama would allow them to keep it for a multinational anti-drug trafficking base, Balladeres said no. Mireya Moscoso also said no after her election in 1999. December 31st US left CZ.
How was the canal managed after the turnover?
Commission, separate canal from the politicians to prevent corruption, canal administration appointed, run canal separate from the government, firewall between politics and the operation of the canal. US Congress authorised expenditures to bring canal to peak operating capacity before turn over. US leaders didn’t want to be too closely associated to the turnover of the canal, unpopular event in US history, Carter went to ceremony. Brief drop in economy post-turnover, expected.
How has Panama prospered after the turnover in 1999?
Raised tolls, began letting more supply contracts in Panama, stimulated economy as a whole. Government got 1/4 revenues from canal, started to improve infrastructure, fast economic boom. Lots of prosperity. Growth of cartel, money laundering. Political system success, frequent changes in parties. Legislation doesn’t allow immediate re-election of candidates, several Presidents tried to change it, faced public opposition. Social unrest and protests.
How did the US react to the turnover?
9/11 took US attention off Panama. Turning over canal made US more popular in Latin America. Original worry Panama may sell the canal to China/Russia, unfounded, Panama wanted control of canal.
How has Panama tried to protect the canal from attacks?
Canal vulnerable facility, could still be a target without US involvement, multinational treaty to respect the canals neutrality.
