PM–61. Editorial Note
On October 1, 1960, Dr. Roberto Chiari, the victor in Panama’s presidential elections held on May 8, 1960, was sworn in as President of Panama for a four-year term. In his inaugural speech President Chiari expressed gratification at the United States’ recognition of Panama’s titular sovereignty over the Panama Canal Zone, but at the same time he maintained that the United States had not complied fully with the terms of the treaties covering Canal Zone operations. He was optimistic, however, that the United States’ recognition of Panama’s titular sovereignty foreshadowed a new era of good relations that would enable the two nations to find practical solutions to existing problems. Documentation concerning President Chiari’s inauguration is in decimal file 719.11.