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Show " It I The Salt Lake Tribune, Sunday, March nf , ! . i r r a 5, 1978 was Editor's iwtot Today's Common Carrier article written tw Ray . grim. lto Virginia Si. The author's view, art Ms own. Common expressed J" Co!" The Sail Lake Tribune or necessarily rolled those CommenCarrtor board ef lev editors. nUiud by Arttctos sotoctod tor this department are tha lay board. wMdi wortu rooortorldl and editorial policies. Tha too a cross sertton at me community , Amart- ai, executive proorom coordinator, Japanese can Civic League; Juanita Raid, wnMoymont supervIsor, Itorihwost Energy Ca. Werner Ounther, Bakeryand l FanR Contact! anarr Wortoers Union Local Ho. Ruben Ferguson, Foss tor, Fergaaon, Kingston and League of ArcMtocts, and Alice OrifHIh, board member, Women Vetoes of Utah. and either Tins baara reviews artirtes aniirnvot them far pubOcaftn or reiects them. Articles must be short (no toneer than tour Pnees, a typewritten), dtoHongtos, Pertinent, to Ha point, have to Ha central Hama, be untfytna la Purpose and Pertain iiNMm-taof ttio liHoi political, social or oconomk Common Carrier: Panama Canals Dispensable By Ray E. Brim respect the comments preented in the Common Carrier (Feb. 12) regarding the Panama Canal However, it is extremely important that another t icwpoint be given. This is even more critical since the debate on the ratification of the treaty is now taking place in the Senate. I To begin with, it is extremely inter- esting that little has been written regarding the use of modern weapons not only in the defense of the canal but also in the destruction of the canal. Thousands of words have been written about the continuing need to base United States troops in the Canal Zone for defense, as we did during World War I and II. It uppeals that many people feel we can he laced with the same kind of warfare as we were then. This just isnt the case. It is my thesis that the canal cannot be defended at any reasonable cost w ith or without the zone. It Major Bases According to Tin Dtfense Monitor, published by the Center for Defense information in Washington, DC., the United States maintains some 14 major . bases and facilities m the Canal Zone. About OKI troops are stationed in the rone, 7000 of them United States Ai m Major units include the 193rd Ijght Infantry Brigade, elements of the 7th Special Forces Croup, and smaller Army, Navy and Air Force logistical and support units A gxxi share of the facilities and United States manpower in the Zone are employed in duties which are not related to ihe defense of the canal. The zone, for instance, is a major training area for Latin American military forces. The United States Army School of the Americas and the United Slates Air n Air Force Force Academy conduct a wide range of y courses, including training The Jungle Operations Training Center is also located in the zone. Canal Vulnerable Ever since its opening in 1914. the Panama Canal has been vulnerable to destruction or damage. In earlier years, there was danger from enemy naval forces; by World War II, sabotage was a major worry. But today, the two most serious military threats are nuclear missie attacks and guerrilla raids. The Panama Canal cannot be defended from nuclear missile attack. For example, it . Inter-America- counter-insurgenc- would be extremely easy for (me of the Russian nuclear submarines, carrying ballistic missiles, to attack from either the Pacific or the Atlantic side of the canal with a tactical nuclear missile, no larger than the one we used against Japan during World War II, which would completely close down the The right of passage of United States Canal during World War II. Although warships in times of crisis is a natural we had the military superiority during concern to the United States, But w ith that time to preclude this from ever modern intelligence Information pro- becoming an issue, we do not have that vided by satellites, the ir.cnitoi brig of superiority now. Constant Vigil warship locations has been simplified and passage through the canal would If the United States is prepared to pay equate to target practice for an enemy. the heavy political, economic and Question able Judgment military cost of maintaining our current poiUion in Panama, then we must We no longer enjoy military superiority over the seas, in the air or in space, accept the concept of occupation, and to funnel a fleet or even tankers comparable perhaps to the constant through the canal would be quebtiona-U- e vigil necessarily maintained by Russia over her satellites. tactical judgment. TreaThe provision in the Neutrality In my judgment, this is not acceptaty that provides for all nations during ble. Another objection cited against the peace or war to transit the canal is current treaty under consideration is nothing more than what was guaran- that it has some loose language but teed in the old lSdl treaty. every ireaiy hs "loose language Technically, the Imperial Japanese which often works for the benefit of Navy had the right to use the Panama both sides. 92 canal. With the proliferation of nuclear capability, the detonation of a small nuclear weapon aboard a ship going through the canal at the right tjnie would also be a practical means of attack. Hence, modern weapons have made the Panama Canal area Indefensible. Curtail Threat jfmthing ran he done to curtail the guerrilla threat. The nsk of Panamanian nationalists attacking the canal for political objectives would be undercut when the source of the problem the 1903 treaty is terminated and the Panamanians are given a major stake in the continued successful operation of the waterway. The protection of the canal from attacks by outside groups or small terrorist forces opposed to the Panamanian regime naturally will depend on how well the joint United States and Panamanian defense forces train and work together. Attempting to courier the guerrilla threat by maintaining the old treaty and adding more troops is not a good answer. In 1976, the Pentagon estimated it would require a ground force of 100,000 men and sizeable air and naval forces to protect the present Canal Zone against a serious guerrilla campaign. Exceed Support But even with this massive force, the Pentagon report concluded that the continuous operation of the canal could not be insured in that environment. The cost of maintaining a force of this sie would far exceed the monetary support outlined in the proposed agreement. And anyway, our history in countering guerrilla warfare has not been noted for success as reflected in the recent Vietnam effort. In my judgment, it would not be feasible to defend the canal if the gov emmeot of Panama did not cooperate In countering guerrilla warfare. In the Oct. 14 Carter-Torrtjo- s Statement of Understanding, there is a provision for the transit of warships through the canal and, in the case of emergency, lor United States ships to go to the head of the line. double-spece- ta woU-bo- ln Am. Individuals or representatives ef recount ad organizo-Hen-s are invited to submit statements to Common Carrier. Materials should be mailed to Common Carrier, The Salt Lake Tribune, P.O. Box U7, Salt Lake City, Utah Ray E. Brim Common Carrier S.IIA Author SALE PRICE 31.99 REG. 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