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Article: Canal Closing Underscores U.S. Concern; Waterway Shuts Down for First Time in Its 75-Year History
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- December 21, 1989
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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The Panama Canal was closed to shipping yesterday for the first
time in its 75-year history as fighting between U.S. and Panamanian
forces raised fears about the security of a vital military and
commercial artery.
Although the shutdown was expected to be brief, it underscored
concerns raised a decade ago during the debate over the Panama Canal
Treaty about the commercial and strategic importance of the waterway,
which links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
"It's one of the vital maritime gateways of the world," said
Thomas H. Moorer, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The treaty calls for turning full sovereignty over the U.S.-run
canal to Panama by the year 2000.
With ...