-Caveat Lector- THURSDAY JUNE 24 1999 The threat to U.S. in Panama Chinese dominance of canal zone a danger, says Congress report ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- � 1999 WorldNetDaily.com A U.S. congressional delegation that toured Central America in anticipation of the hand-over of the Panama Canal at the end of this year concluded that the Communist Chinese dominance of the canal zone represents a threat to U.S. security, according to a report obtained by WorldNetDaily columnist Charles Smith. "U.S. and Panamanian security officials stated that Panama has become the central base of operations for communist China in Latin America," the report states. "Panama is a Pacific Ocean port, and the canal is vital to commerce between the Asia-Pacific region and the Americas. [Europe also uses the Canal for a substantial mount of its trade with Asia.] It is also a vital component to emerging Chinese communist strategy to dominate the Pacific and to undermine and isolate the United States. The Number Two user of the canal, after the United Slates is Japan, with China and Taiwan competing for the third position." The report points out that the unofficial representative of the People's Republic of China is believed to be a senior intelligence officer who operates out of an office on the top floor of a bank building in Panama City, with a staff of 14 assistants. "Worldwide, China appears to be progressively positioning itself commercially and militarily along the key naval choke points between the Indian Ocean [its bases in Burma]; the South China Sea [Hong Kong]; the Straits of Malacca [the Spratley Islands and a growing role in Cambodia]; the central Pacific [a major land satellite tracking station on Tarawa]; the coast of Hawaii [a major ocean mining tract]; the Caribbean [Cuba and the Bahamas]; and now the Panama Canal," says the report. "China's flagship commercial shipping fleet, China Ocean Shipping Company [COSCO], is directly connected to the People's Liberation Army and Chinese communist government. COSCO ships have served as careers for massive smuggling operations around the world -- including the United States -- of weapons, drugs and illegal aliens. In addition, COSCO has been used by the Chinese government to ship missiles -- and components of weapons of mass destruction to rogue nations such as Pakistan and Iran." Colombian insurgents have reportedly been conducting raids deep inside Panama, taking advantage of the U.S. troop withdrawals. General Charles E. Wihlem of the U.S. Army Southern Command said Panama's defense forces are "not manned, trained or equipped" to deal with the raiding Columbian guerrillas. According to the blacked-out congressional report, the Colombian insurgents are backed and supplied by Cuba, Russia and China. "The growing anti-U.S./NATO 'strategic partnership' of China and Russia poses an increasing threat. There is a well-documented history of both Russian and Chinese organized crime organizations working as tools of their governments. In Panama, where government corruption is rampant, there is a dangerous convergence of well-financed Chinese and Russian mobs with Cuban government operatives and Latin American drug lords, leftists and narco-terrorist militants. This dark partnership is a threat to democracy in Panama and in neighboring countries, and is a direct long-term threat to Mexico and the United States." The Panama Canal, one of the world's key strategic waterways, is scheduled to be turned over to the Panamanian government on Dec. 31, 1999. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ � 1999 WorldNetDaily.com, Inc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- This page was last built 6/24/99; 1:21:06 AM Direct corrections and technical inquiries to [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.worldnetdaily.com/bluesky_exnews/19990624_xex_the_threat_t.shtml Bard Visit me at: The Center for Exposing Corruption in the Federal Government http://www.xld.com/public/center/center.htm Federal Government defined: ....a benefit/subsidy protection racket! DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. 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