美國朝野對歸還巴拿馬運河立場之研析－－保守派人士對外力介入之疑慮

The Return of the Panama Canal: Implications for the US Interest

巴拿馬運河的建造和歸還，攸關美國在二十世紀的戰略安全和經濟利益，因此外來潛在的威脅和外力的涉入，向來就是美國考量運河安全的重要前提。二十世紀前半美國主要對歐陸強權持有疑慮，冷戰期間美國則擔心巴拿馬的赤化，以及蘇聯涉入巴拿馬運河的安全問題。冷戰過後美國不放心把運河交還給巴拿馬，「中國威脅論」適時的出現，給一向反對歸還運河的美國保守派人士，添加了一些憂慮。尤其在他們發現和中共關係密的香港和記黃埔集團竟然藉由商業談判進入巴拿馬運河，而與巴拿馬關系密切的美國卻無法達成基地談判和港口承租目標的時候，美國保守派人士遂開始懷疑巴拿馬政府的立場。他們認為：一、美國和巴拿馬對於運河中立條約各有保留的情況底下，卡特和陶立賀所簽訂的條約有二個不同版本；二、陶立賀在簽約時雖身為軍事強人，不過當時巴拿馬卻還有名義上的總統，因此陶立賀不具有簽約法定代表的效力；三、倘使巴拿馬沒有履行條約的能力，則美國可以不理會條約，而以武力重開運河。

As the construction and the later return of the Panama Canal has been important to American strategic and economic interests in the twentieth century, the possible threat and involvement of foreign powers in the area has been always a great concern for the Americans. In the first half of the twentieth century the threat came from the Europeans; during the Cold War Era, the possible communization of Panama and the Russian influence was the major worry. While the U.S. was reluctant to return the Panama Canal after the Cold War, the appearance of the 'China Threat'gave additional justification for the conservatives who had always been against the return of Panama Canal. Given that the Hutchison Shampoa Company which maintains close relationship with PRC has secured a spot in the Panama Canal through commercial negotiation while the U.S. failed in the negotiation to maintain a military base and commercial port in the canal, these conservatives began to question the position of the Panamanian government. Their points are as follows: (1) In view of the respective reservations of the U.S. and Panama to the Panama Canal Treaties of 1977, there were two editions of the treaties signed by Jimmy Carter and Omar Torrijos. (2) Although Torrijos was the military strong man when the treaty was signed, there was another legal president in Panama at this time. Therefore, Torrijos could not represent Panama in signing the treaty. (3) If Panama is unable to fulfill obligations derived from the treaty, then the U.S. has the due right to reject the treaty and reopen the Panama Canal by force.