117. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter 1
[Omitted here is information unrelated to Panama.]
3. Panama Plebiscite—As of 3:00 p.m. EDT, unofficial returns are in from 92% of polling tables in Panama’s October 23 plebiscite on the Panama Canal Treaties.2 Returns show 66.4% in favor, 32.2% opposed and 1.4% casting void ballots. Turnout is estimated at 90–95% of those eligible. The “yes” vote is expected to reach a higher percentage as votes come in from rural areas, but will not reach the government’s projected figure of 80% in favor. Nevertheless, there will be a comfortable margin. We believe that there are sufficient safeguards to insure a reasonably fair and fraud-free vote. No incidents have been reported [Page 333] by the Embassy. Official returns are expected to be announced on Thursday, October 27.3
[Omitted here is information unrelated to Panama.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 19, Evening Reports (State), 10/77. Secret. Carter initialed the top-right corner of the memorandum and wrote: “Cy.”↩
- Carter wrote in the left margin: “I would like for Torrijos to shift Panama to a Democracy & have free elections soon. It would be a good time for T. to do this.”↩
- On October 25, the White House sent Torrijos the following message from Carter: “Congratulations on the outcome of the plebiscite your country held Sunday on the Panama Canal Treaties. The results confirm that the treaties are supported by a strong majority of the Panamanian people. I look forward to ratification by the United States Senate, so that these treaties which meet the needs of both the people of Panama and the United States can be brought into effect. I send my best wishes to your government and to the citizens of Panama.” (White House message 70531 to Panama City; Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders, Box 15, Panama: General Omar Torrijos Herrera 2/77–7/78)↩