Torrijos to Ink Panama Canal Bill
President Martin Torrijos is due to sign Monday a bill on the modernization of the Panama Canal Zone, an initiative that will be decided during a national referendum on October 22.

After signing of the plan, valued at $5.2 billion, the project will be published Wednesday and consulted for 90 days, until October 22.

The National Assembly, after two weeks of intensive deliberations with some in favor and others against, approved Friday in a third and last debate the modernization of that inter-Ocean way.

"This is a historic moment. Panamanians have decided themselves for the first time the future of the Canal Zone," stated legislative president Elias Castillo, "after 72 deputies out of 78 approved the initiative."

Sources close to the government told Prensa Latina the October 22 date is an advantage because it's eight days before the national holidays for homeland celebrations.