The Panama Canal Treaty along with the Treaty on the Permanent Neutrality of the canal, both affirmed that the United States would transfer control of the canal to Panama by the year 2000. After this Panama would keep the canal neutral, and both countries would be responsible for protecting it. With Vietnam a recent memory, Carter and Linowitz hoped their spirit of cooperation toward Panama could usher in a new era of international reason, respect, and peace. They may not have completely attained that lofty goal, but their dealings in Panama were successful. The final transfer of rule took place in 2000 as planned and without trouble. It went very smoothly since 96% of the canal's workers were already Panamanian and since 1990 the chief administrators have also been native-born. Even though it suffered during the recessions of 2001 and 2002, the Panama Canal continues to flourish and deliver its...
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