December 2001
The Canal Zone is gone, and with it our childhood. However, Panama is still there, and not all the news is bad. I hope to provide information about both sides: the silver linings as well as the clouds. My sources will be friends in Panama with whom I've stayed in touch, Panamanian newspapers of all political points of view, and all else that come to hand.
This is not an editorial or op-ed page. I invite anyone who feels like it to submit current news items to me at DRYJA1@msn.com. I'll try to fit in whatever you send. But again, please try to stick to news. If you think I've published something that's a crock, put your opinion in the Message Section. I read that almost daily, and I will respond there if I think it's necessary. I do not consider myself to be the ultimate authority on anything, especially Panama.
The following is a summation of recent news articles I've reviewed about the situation in Panama. When the US pulled out of Panama on December 31, 1999, many people expected the worst. This has not transpired. There was no chaos. The canal continues to run smoothly, and is undergoing improvements. There has also been an increase in income from tolls. However, the picture is otherwise disapointing.
First of all, there was hope that the old Canal Zone would undergo development as an industrial area, with high tech industries, etc. Progress has been slow to non-existent. There is a recession aggravated by the loss of wages from American bases. Colon has lapsed into even more squalor, if that can be believed. There have been riots over bus fares.
Mireya Moscoso was elected President a couple years ago, helped into office by unhappiness with Balladares, her predecessor, who had initiated many privatization efforts in the country. Unfortunately, it was a case of voting against the status quo for a new leader who had no clear agenda, except a vague idea of increasing social spending and delaying privatization. However, tax revenue has fallen, and a budget deficit is predicted for 2001. Mrs. Miscoso has been slow to respond to the problems and does not seem to have a clear strategy. Economic opportunities have passed by due to inertia and political squabbling.
All is not dark, however. There is now a cruise ship pier at the end of the Causeway. There had been no such facility for some time after Pier 18 at Balboa was demolished to make way for a new container port. The government is trying to promote tourism. Also, Panama has a good fiber-optic net, and is trying to attract international call centers to the country. Laws have been passed trying to control money laundering. As one publication commented, "The government can move fast when it wants to. A pity it doesn't want to more often."
On a lighter note, I am informed that the term "chiva" is becoming obsolete. The new name for the urban buses is "diabolitos." Speaking of Devils, I was told that several years ago an attempt was made to change the name Diablo Heights to Jesus Heights. This came to nothing. Finally, Aggies can rejoice. The present Panamanian administrator of the Canal is a Texas A & M grad.