PANAMA: U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS FOR FIRST TIME IN LATIN AMERICA; CANAL ZONE BECOMES HEATED ISSUE.

Record ID: 1062670

  • Title: PANAMA: U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS FOR FIRST TIME IN LATIN AMERICA; CANAL ZONE BECOMES HEATED ISSUE.
  • Date: 16th March 1973
  • Summary: 1. AERIAL VIEW Panama and canal (3 shots) 0.26 2. AERIAL VIEWS Locks (2 shots) 0.38 3. MV Panamanian official meets foreign delegates 0.43 4. MV Delegates down aircraft steps 0.50 5. CV TILT DOWN Flags and welcome sign 0.54 6. SV Visiting delegates being greeted (3 shots) 1.12 7. GV Troops on horseback in presidential palace 1.17 8. GV ZOOM INTO SV Panama flag handed to soldier on horseback TILT UP TO UN flag flying 1.38 Initials BB/0000 JW/DW/BB/0030 TELERECORDING Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 30th March 1973 13:00
  • Keywords:
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  • Location: PANAMA CITY, PANAMA
  • Country: Panama
  • Reuters ID: LVA63XBQE50151S10Q9WDA0XARFM
  • Story Text:The United Nations Security Council convened in Panama City on Wednesday (15 March). It's the first time this 15-nation body has met in Latin America -- and only the second time it has met outside New York.

    These sessions, lasting until 21 March, were called to discuss a broadly-worded agenda calling for: "Consideration of measures for the maintenance and strengthening of international peace and security in Latin America in conformity with the (U.N.) charter".

    But, as expected, the U.S. controlled Panama Canal Zone became a heated issue. The Zone slices through the heart of Panamanian territory and is considered there to be an affront to the country's sovereignty.

    Nearly a decade of sporadic negotiations has so far failed to produce a new agreement to replace the 1903 pact granting in perpetuity to the U.S. "rights, powers and authority" over the Canal area.

    The meetings are being presided over by Brigadier General Omar Torrijos, Panama's 43-year-old chief of government, who seized power in 1968.

    General Torrijos spoke of his dispute with the U.S.A. in his address to the Council. "Panama will never become another star" on the flag of the United States, he said.

    This issue has been the focal point of numerous anti-American protests. In 1964 20 Panamanians and three citizens of the United States were killed in rioting on the Zone's border.

    SYNOPSIS: The United Nations Security Council convened in Panama City on Wednesday. This is the first time that the 15-nation body has met in Latin America... and only the second time it has met outside New York. These sessions -- scheduled to last until 21st March -- have been called to discuss a broadly-worded agenda covering issues throughout the Latin American continent. The agenda speaks of: "Consideration of measures for the maintenance and strengthening of international peace and security in Latin America in conformity with the United Nations' Charter."
    But, as was expected, the United States-controlled Panama Canal Zone became a heated issue during the first day's session. Nine years of sporadic negotiations have so far failed to produce a new agreement to replace a pact -- signed in 1963 -- giving the United States complete power in the five hundred square-mile Canal Zone. The Canal slices through the heart of Panamanian territory, and U.S. presence there is considered locally to be an affront to the country's sovereignty.

    The meetings are being presided over by General Omar Terrijos, Panama's government chief, who seized power in 1968. General Torrijos explained his country's position on the first day of the Council's meetings. "Panama will never become another star" on the flag of the Untied States, he said. He called for world support and added that his people's patience was fast running out over this issue.
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