42. Backchannel Message From the Governor of the Panama Canal Zone (Parker) to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army (Koren)1
PNA 384. Subj: GOP Closure of Canal Zone Customs and Immigration at Tocumen Airport.
1. This is a preliminary report of action by the Government of Panama the evening of May 21 to deny Canal Zone Customs and Immigration Officers access to Tocumen International Airport in violation of Article XVII of the 1949 Aviation Agreement which provides for U.S. exercise of control, inspection and processing of passengers, cargo and mail destined for the Canal Zone.
2. About 2300 hours May 21 the Canal Zone Customs and Immigration Officer on duty at Tocumen was asked to come to the VIP lounge at the airport because Panamanian Foreign Minister Tack wanted to talk with him. (Tack had just arrived from New York aboard Pan Am Flight 223.) Speaking rapidly in Spanish, Tack was understood to have said that the inspector was to leave the airport right away. When the inspector expressed surprise and asked the reason Tack was under[Page 113]stood to have said something about courtesy and that he should check with the US Embassy.
3. The Canal Zone inspector returned to his office in the Tocumen terminal and reported the situation to his chiefs in the Customs Division. He was instructed to speak with Foreign Minister Tack again.
4. The inspector then went to the VIP lounge, knocked on the door, and entered. Excusing himself, the inspector asked Tack if what he had said previously applied only to him or to all other Canal Zone inspectors. Tack immediately answered, “All the inspectors.” During the last ten minutes or so before departing the terminal, the inspector noted several members of the National Guard observing whether he was leaving.
5. The Guardia Nacional security office at Tocumen Airport has confirmed that they have been ordered not to permit Canal Zone Customs and Immigration Officials to function at Tocumen. A GN security official explained the order had been issued because Ambassador Tack had been treated discourteously by United States “customs officials.” Since midnight May 21 there has been no Canal Zone inspector at Tocumen.
6. Ambassador Jorden has been informed and will take the matter up with Foreign Minister Tack immediately. Embassy has informed Panama Desk and has asked State to track down basis for Tack’s charge that he was treated discourteously by U.S. officials at any time during his trip to the United States. It is believed that if any incident occurred it probably involved airport security check at New York.2 Neither the Embassy nor State had previous knowledge of Tack’s complaint of mistreatment.
7. During period December 13–23, 1971, GOP usurped baggage inspection function over passengers destined for Canal Zone in reaction to Congressman Murphy’s charges of GOP laxity in narcotics control. At that time problem was resolved through influence of local heads of Pan Am and Braniff after I discussed possible necessity of requiring airlines to use Howard Airfield for discharge of Canal Zone destined passengers. (See my CZG 1523 of 23 December 1971.)3
8. Follow-up report will be made when results of Ambassador Jorden’s meeting with Tack are known. Warm regards.
- Source: National Archives, RG 185, Subject Files of 1979 Panama Canal Treaty Planning Group, Box 5, Messages—Jan to Jun 1974. Confidential; Exdis; Eyes Only; Priority for Transmission—Deliver Upon Receipt. Repeated to the Ambassador to Panama, USCINCSO, and the Secretary of the Panama Canal Company.↩
- In telegram 3017 from Panama City, May 25, the Embassy reported that Tack was upset that customs authorities in New York forced him “to pass through metal detector three times.” Tack then added he was “happy to forget the whole thing.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740132–0414)↩
- Message CZG 1523, December 23, 1971, discussed Torrijos’ interference in customs procedures at Tocumen Airport. (National Archives, RG 185, Subject Files of 1979 Panama Canal Treaty Planning Group, Box 5, Msgs Oct. to December 1971)↩