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PANAMA CANAL: SIZE MATTERS; VULNERABILITY AN ISSUE.

Article Excerpt
Personnel from Panama's Ministry of Government and Justice met with counterparts from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on March 23 in Panama. "We talked about all the security issues that concern both of us: maritime, border, and airport security," Government and Justice Minister Arnulfo Escalona told reporters. He was joined by the director of the Policia Nacional, Carlos Bares, Chief of Security Council and National Defense Ramiro Jarvis, and administrator of the National Maritime Authority Betide Garcia. But none would tell reporters what specifically they discussed.

Nor would DHS director of international affairs Chris Arco, but when pressed, Arco said that at the Panama Canal security was a concern. "I'm unaware of a risk, but it is important to have the ability to detect risks. Panama has an important asset in the canal, which is vital for this country and for the United States."

The US is the principal user of the facility; about 14% of all US exports of manufactured goods goes through it. It has long been regarded as militarily indefensible because it is 80 km long.

On April 12, private intelligence agency Stratfor reported that the Bush...

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