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Government to Examine Panama
Canal Bid
President Martin Torrijos´
Cabinet is expected to look into
the controversial Panama Canal
Authority proposal to enlarge
the Panama Canal, so it can be
discussed next week by the
National Assembly.
According to official sources,
Parliament President Elias
Castillo asserted the deputies
will examine the offer to
enlarge the canal no later than
June 12.
So far the government has made
no official statement on the
issue, but observers believe the
ministerial meeting is
unnecessary because Martin
Torrijos and his main
collaborators support the 5.25
billion dollar project to build
more locks.
After the government and the
National Assembly sessions are
held, conditions will be
favorable to hold a national
referendum to approve the Panama
Canal extension.
Polls show most Panamanians now
support expanding the
inter-oceanic facility; however,
the number of opponents to the
plan is increasing and joining
ex President Jorge Illueca´s
rejection of the initiative.
Opponents maintain that engaging
in a billion dollar project to
be carried out in seven years is
unjustifiable and will push the
small-economy country into
permanent debt.
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