Panama Canal From January to August 1977 During the First During the 95th Congress, the following legislation has been proposed: H.Res. 14 (Ashbrook), H. Res. 92 (Flood) its that the sovereign Declares it to be the sense of the House of Representatives Government of the United States "should retain unimpaired... rights, power and authority, and jurisdiction over the Panama Canal a ad the entire Canal Zone, (2) that there be no relinquishment of 0.5. rights without prior authorization by the Congress, and (3) that there be no cession of any U.S. property in the Canal Zone without prior authorization by Corgress (House and Senate) as provided in Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the Constitution. Submitted on Jan. o and 10, 1977, these resolutions, were referred to the Committee on International Relations. More than 25 similar resolutions have been submitted. H.R. 1587 (Flood, Murphy, Snyder) Panama Canal Hodernization Act. Directs the Governor of the Canal zote, under supervision of the Secretary of the Army, to undertake the work necessary to enlarge and improve the operations of the Panara Canal through adaptation of the Third Locks Project (House Doc. no. 210, 76th Congress) at a total cost not to exceed $1,250,000,000. It also establishes the Panana Canal Advisory and Inspection Board to study and review plans and designs for the Third Locks Project. The provisions of the act will take effect only after the President terminates negotiations providing for the surrender of the Panama Canal and the Canal Zone, and will remain in effect only as long as the United States retains sovereign rights in the Canal Zone. The bill was submitted on Jan. 10, 1977, and referred to the Committee On Merchant Marine and Fisheries. B.R. 1588 (Flood), H. R. 3235 (Crane et al.)/S. 1444 (Helas) Provides that the United States Canal Zone shall be represented by a delegate to the House of Representatives, and directs the Governor of the Canal zone to prescribe regulations for conducting appropriate elections. The House bill was referred to the Committee or Merchant Marire and Fisheries after being submitted on Jan. 10, 1977. The Senate bill, introduced 02 Bay 3, 1977, was referred to the Armed Services Committee. H.R. 6943 (Hansen) Requires that real property in the Canal Zone which is not necessary for U.S. goverroeatal purposes be sold to appropriate individuals and nongovernmental entities, thereby providing for private ownership of property, and further requires that the President prepare a detailed proposal for self-government of the Canal Zone under the U.S. Constitution. Submitted on May 5, 1977, the bill was referred to the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. Amendment to Foreign Relations Authorization Act for FY78 (H. R. €689). During House consideration of H. R. 6689, on May 4, 1977, Иг. Dornes offered an amendment, similar to the Snyder amendments of recent years, to forbid the use of funds "for the purpose of negotiating the surrender or relinquishment of the Canal Zone ΟΙ the Радева Canal." Mr. Buchazap countered with a substitute amendment, similar to recent conference compromises, providing that any new treaty or agreement "Eust protect the vital interests of the United States" in the Canal and the Canal Zore. After debate, the Buchanan substitute passed 220-182, and was incorporated ir the bill which passed the House that day, becoming law (Sec. 506 of PL 95–105) after Senate approval and the signature of the President on August 17, 1977. Amendment to State Dept. Appropriations Act for P178 (H. R. 7556) When H. R. 7556, making appropriations for the Departzents of State, Justice, and Commerce, was considered in the House, on June 10, 1977, Section 104, as reported from the Appropriations Committee, stated the sense of Congress that "any new Panama Canal treaty ΟΙ agreement Past protect the vital interests of the United States" in the Canal and the Canal zone. During consideration of the bill, Mr. Sayder proposed to add an anerdaent stating that: "None .of the funds appropriated herein may be used to implement any new treaty with the Fepublic of Pagana which surrenders or K. Larry Storrs, "Panama Canal Treaties," Congressional Research Service Issue Brief, No. IB77042, September 8, 1977, pp. 7-9. :elinquishes United States sovereignty over and control of the Canal Zone and Задава Саzal. " Mr. Snyder argued that his anead cert was recessary to prevent :he completion of a treaty to give away the Canal and Canal Zore, while >pposing spokesmen argued that the language in the bill, similar to previous years' compromises, vas adequate. After debate, the Snyder arendaert vas rejected by an unrecorded vote. H. Con. Res. 328 (Hansen) Expresses the sense of Congress that any right to, title to, or interest in the Panama Canal Zone or any real property located therein should not be conveyed, relinquished, or therwise disposed of to any foreign government without specific authorization of such onveyance, relinquishment, or other disposition by an Act of Congress. Submitted on August 4, 1977, the resolution was referred to the Committee on International Relations. Panama Canal From January to August 1977 During the First During the 95th Congress, the following legislation has been proposed: H.Res. 14 (Ashbrook), H. Res. 92 (Flood) Declares it to be the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of the United States "should retain unimpaired... its sovereign rights, power and authority, and jurisdiction over the Panama Canal and the entire Canal Zone, (2) that there be no relinquishment of U.S. rights without prior authorization by the Congress, and (3) that there be no cession of any U.S. property in the Canal Zone without prior authorization by Corgress (House and Senate) as provided in Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the Constitution. Submitted on Jan. 4 and 10, 1977, these resolutions, vere referred to the Committee on International Relations. More than 25 similar resolutions have been submitted. H.R. 1587 (Flood, Murphy, Snyder) Panama Canal Modernization Act. Directs the Governor of the Canal Zoze, under supervision of the Secretary of the Army, to undertake the work necessary to enlarge and improve the operations of the Panara Canal through adaptation of the Third Locks Project (House Doc. no. 210, 76th Congress) at a total cost not to exceed $1,250,000,000. It also establishes the Радава Canal Advisory and Inspection Board to study and review plans and designs for the Third Locks Project. The provisions of the Act vili take effect only after the President terminates negotiations providing for the surrender of the Panama Canal and the Canal Zone, and will remain in effect only as long as the United States retains sovereign rights in the Canal Zone. The bill was submitted on Jan. 10, 1977, and referred to the Committee On Herchant Marine and Fisheries. H.R. 1588 (Flood), B. R. 3235 (Crane et al.)/S. 1444 (Belas) Provides that the United States Canal Zone shall be represented by a delegate to the House of Representatives, and directs the Governor of the Canal zone to prescribe regulations for conducting appropriate elections. The House b11 was referred to the Committee or Merchant Marire and Fisheries after being submitted on Jan. 10, 1977. The Senate bill, introduced Bay 3, 1977, was referred to the Armed Services Committee. H.R. 6943 (Hansen) Requires that real property in the Canal Zone which is not necessary for U.S. governmental purposes be sold to appropriate individuals and nongovernmental entities, thereby providing for private ownership of property, and further requires that the President prepare a detailed proposal for self-government of the Canal Zone ucder the U.S. Corstitution. Submitted on May 5, 1977, the bill was referred to the Herchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. Amendment to Foreign Relations Authorization Act for FY78 (H. R. (689). During House consideration of H.R. 6689, on May 4, 1977, Hг. Dornan offered an amendment, s'milar to the Snyder amendments of recent years, to forbid the use of funds "for the purpose of negotiating the surrender OT relinquishment of the Canal Zone or the Радева Canal." Mr. Buchanan countered with a substitute amendment, similar to recent conference compromises, providing that any new treaty or agreement "Eust protect the vital interests of the United States" in the Canal and the Canal Zore. After debate, the Buchanan substitute passed 220-182, and was incorporated ir the bill which passed the House that day, becoming law (Sec. 506 of PL 95-105) after Senate approval and the signature of the President on August 17, 1977. Amendment to State Dept. Appropriations Act for PÌ78 (H.R. 7556) 1 When H. R. 7556, making appropriations for the Departuents of State, Justice, and Commerce, was considered in the House, on June 10, 1977, Section 104, as reported from the Appropriations Committee, stated the sease of Congress that "any new Panama Canal treaty or agreement Dust protect the vital interests of the United States" in the Canal and the Canal Zoge. During consideration of the bill, Mr. Snyder proposed to add an anerdaest stating that: "None of the funds appropriated herein may be used implement any new treaty with the Fepublic of Радава which surrenders to or K. Larry Storrs, "Panama Canal Treaties," Congressional Research Service Issue Brief. No. IB77042, September 8, 1977, pp. 7–9. :elinguishes United States sovereignty over and control of the Canal Zone and Panama Canal." Mr. Snyder argued that his amendment was necessary to prevent the completion of a treaty to give way the Canal and Cana l Zore, while >pposing spokesmen argued that the language in the bill, similar to previous years' compromises, was adequate. After debate, the Snyder a rendnert rejected by an unrecorded vote. H. Con. Res. 328 (Hansen) vas Expresses the sense of Congress that any right to. title to, or interest in the Panama Canal Zone or any real property located therein should not be conveyed, relinquished, or therwise disposed of to any foreign government without specific authorization of such Conveyance, relinquishment, or other disposition by an Act of Congress. Submitted on August 4, 1977, the resolution was referred to the Committee on International Relations. of the OAS at St. George's, Grenada, on U.S.-Panama Negoti tions, June 15, 1977* Press release 285 dated June 16 Since submitting their second report to this Assembly last year, the Republic of Panama and the United States have achieved considerable progress in the negotiation of a new treaty to replace the 1903 convention. It is not our intention to review the history and resurrect old grievances or reopen old wounds. Instead we approach this question in the spirit that has characterized this Administration's approach to these negotiations. This statement represents the views of the U.S. Government on the present state of negotiations. As President Carter emphasized in his Pan American Day speech in Washington, the early completion of the new Panama Canal treaty is a high priority objective of his foreign policy. The following events in recent months demonstrate the commitment of both governments to this objective: -The meeting between the Secretary of State and the Panamanian Foreign Minister in Washington January 31 during which they reaffirmed the Statement of Principles of February 1974; -A round of negotiations in Panama in mid-February during which the two sides had an opportunity to explore possible solutions to important and difficult outstanding issues; -A meeting in mid-March in Washington during which the negotiators continued the process commenced in Panama the month before; and -An intensive round of negotiations commencing May 9 in Washington, which is continuing now. Discussions between the two sides since January have focused on the following issues: -The duration of the treaty; -The nature and functions of the admiristrative organization which will operate the canal during the life of the treaty; -The status of the American and Panamanian employees of that entity; -An identification of the lands and waters which are necessary for the successful operation of the canal; and -Provisions to assure that the canal remains permanently secure and open to the ships of all nations on a nondiscriminatory basis. We believe that substantial progress has been made. The present discussions are focused on the details of these subjects, each of which must be linked to the other in any final agreement that is reached. In addition, our negotiators will be addressing economic issues, a subject which until this time has not been under formal discussion. The objective of our negotiators during the present round of discussions is to come to agreement in principle on these issues. Once these agreements have been reached and the respective governments have had an opportu nity to review the negotiators' work, the process of treaty drafting will commence. While one cannot predict with accuracy when a new treaty will be ready for the initiation of ratification procedures in both countries, we hope that an agreement can be reached this year, perhaps before the end of the summer. *Department of State Bulletin, v. 77, July 18, 1977, p. 72. (1504) |