WHO

IMPACT OF THE PANAMA CANAL TREATY ON THE U.S. MILITARY - continued

STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT FOR U.S. MILITARY IN PANAMA

Since October 1, 1979, activities of the U.S. military community in Panama were covered -- for the first time in Panama -- by a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which was one of the principal documents accompanying the Panama Canal Treaty (the Agreement in Implementation of Article IV of the Panama Canal Treaty which greatly expanded Article IV, Defense, of the basic Treaty). It was similar to those agreements which the United States has with governments in other parts of the world where it maintains military forces.

This agreement regulated the activities of personnel associated with the U.S. Forces stationed in Panama and ensured the basic rights of the U.S. military personnel and U.S.-citizen civilian personnel of the U.S. military and their dependents residing in Panama. (For an idea of the scope of this agreement, see the outline of the Agreement below.)

The SOFA also provided for the freedom of movement of U.S. Forces in Panama in carrying out its primary responsibilities for the defense of the Panama Canal. Freedom of movement of U.S. Forces vehicles, equipment, vessels, aircraft throughout the Republic of Panama --including through Panamanian airspace and waters -- when on official duty was provided by Article XV of the SOFA. (The cited Article is shown at the bottom of this page.) The U.S. Forces had the right to exercise their treaty rights as noted in Article IX of the Panama Canal Treaty.

Formulating operational procedures for many activities of the U.S. Forces were formalized through Joint Committee Arrangements by the Joint Committee, the Treaty-mandated body responsible for agreements on all Treaty matters pertaining to the U.S. military community in Panama.

OUTLINE OF AGREEMENT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE IV OF THE PANAMA CANAL TREATY

Article I Definitions

Article II Non-Intervention Principle

Article III Joint Committee

Article IV Use of Defense Sites

Article V Flags

Article VI Criminal Jurisdiction

Article VII Civilian Employment

Article VIII Acquisition of Panamanian Supplies and Services

Article IX Telecommunications

Article X Military Post Offices

Article XI Commissaries, Military Exchanges and Other Service Installations

Article XII Contractors and Contractors' Personnel

Article XIII Entry and Departure

Article XIV Services and Installations

Article XV Movement, Licenses and Registration of Vessels, Aircraft, and Vehicles

Article XVI Taxation

Article XVII Import Duties

Article XVIII Health, Sanitation and Education

Article XIX Surveys

Article XX Claims

Article XXI General Provisions

Article XXII Duration

Annex

A Defense Sites, Military Areas of Coordination and Other Installations

B Terms for Administration of Military Areas of Coordination

C Application of Panamanian Social Security

D Procedural Guarantees

Other Documents

Agreement on Certain Activities of the United States of America in the Republic of Panama

Illustrative description of conduct of military activities included:

-- Tropic Testing

-- Telecommunications, Meteorlogical, Navigational, and Oceanographic Activities

-- Inter-American Geodetic Survey (IAGS)

-- Humanitarian Relief Operations, Including Search and Rescue

-- Schooling for Latin American Military Personnel:

1.Inter-American Naval Telecommunications Network Training Facility

2.U.S. Army School of the Americas (USARSA)

3.Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA)

4.Navy Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training (NAVSCIATT)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Text of treaty provisions sited in this section

Panama Canal Treaty of 1977:

Article IX (Applicable Laws and Law Enforcement)

8. The Republic of Panama shall not issue, adopt or enforce any law, decree, regulation, or international agreement or take any other action which purports to regulate or would otherwise interfere with the exercise on the part of the United States of America of any right granted under this Treaty or related agreements.

Agreement in Implementation of Article IV of the Panama Canal Treaty:

Article XV (Movement, Licenses and Registration of Vessels, Aircraft and Vehicles)

(1)(a) When in the performance of official duties, the vessels and aircraft operated by or for the United States Forces may move freely through Panamanian air space and waters, without the obligation of payment of taxes, tolls, landing or pier charges or other charges to the Republic of Panama and without any other impediment.

(2)(a) Similarly, the vehicles and equipment of the United States Forces may, when in the performance of official duties, move freely in the Republic of Panama, without the obligation of payment of taxes, tolls or other charges to the Republic of Panama and without any other impediment. These vehicles and equipment shall be exempt from mechanical or other inspection.

(2)(b) Such official vehicles and equipment shall not be assessed any license or registration fees.