Save the Panama Canal

I don’t do this very often. I don’t like to tell people what to do. I
prefer to lay out my case and hope the American people are smart enough
to do the right thing. But, sometimes, our country stands on a precipice
— on a public policy abyss — and it’s important to shout to everyone
within earshot about the danger ahead.

Today is one of those days.

The United States is on the verge of making a fateful decision — one
that can have profound security and economic ramifications for the
country in the years ahead — and few are even aware of the perils
before us.

I’m talking about the surrender of the Panama Canal. I know, some of
you out there are saying: “Farah, that’s a battle we fought and lost a
long time ago. Give up, already!”

To a certain extent, there’s some truth in that statement. Back in
1977, President Carter signed a treaty with the Panamanian government
transferring ownership of the canal to the Central American nation. That
treaty requires all U.S. military forces to leave by Dec. 31, 1999 —
just two and a half short months from now.

What is perhaps not so well known is the fact that under a companion
treaty, which also becomes effective that date, the U.S. retains the
right to protect and defend the canal beyond the year 2000.

There’s a reason for that proviso: The 50-mile-long canal connecting
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans is a key strategic chokepoint in the
Western Hemisphere and absolutely vital to the security of the U.S., as
well as the health of our economy.

Nobody knows this better than our “friends” in Beijing. China is
making major military, political, economic and intelligence inroads in
Latin America and particularly in Panama. Beijing’s puppet company,
Hutchison-Whampoa, has been granted a 25- to 50-year lease to control
both ends of the canal. The company is an arm of the People’s Liberation
Army.

There are other threats to the canal as well — from terrorists,
criminals, the Cubans, drug dealers.

Is it too late to do anything about this? No it is not — but
Americans had better act quickly if we are to avoid a tragic historical
blunder.

Call, fax or e-mail your congressman today
to support Rep. Dana Rohrabacher’s House Concurrent Resolution 186.

What it calls for is this:

• The U.S. government would call on the government of Panama to
  nullify its lease agreements with the Chinese;

• The U.S. government would call on the Panamanians to investigate
  charges of corruption related to the granting of the leases during the
  previous administration;

• The U.S. would negotiate security arrangements with the
  government of Panama that will protect the canal;

So far I count 34 co-sponsors of this resolution in the House.
By the end of the day, I want to see 50. Can we do it?

I think we can. I always warn readers that politics is not an
effective means of changing the way people think, nor the basic
direction a country is headed. Occasionally, however, it is a useful
short-term tool to avert national disaster. I believe this is one of
those cases.

So, don’t wait. Write today. Call today. Get your friends involved.
Time is short. This is a winnable fight. The Panamanians are with us.
They want our help. The defense of the United States cannot be thrown
away. Don’t give up. This is a no-brainer.

And, who knows? If we can mobilize to win this fight, maybe — just
maybe — we can reverse the momentum of those who are betraying the
nation’s vital security interests on so many other fronts.

So, what do you say? Are you with me? Here’s the phone number now —
202-224-3121. Jam that switchboard. Light up those phones. Make that fax
hum. And fill up those e-mailboxes.

Ready, set, go.