Posted on 10/01/2009 9:33:23 AM PDT by mormonsniper
Good news...wow...Bro has done two things in two days I like
Colon is Atlantic side.
Yet another example of how the place has gone to shiite............
Sure it is. We'll be defending "their" canal for free.
So this is all bull?
The following excerpts are taken from a National Geographic article written five years ago, in 1999, just before the United States handed the Panama Canal to the corrupt government of Panama, which then handed it to Communist China. ~ Jackie Jura
http://www.orwelltoday.com/chinapanamacan.shtml
The old Canal Zone is different from the Canal itself. You are now referring to the whole thing and in that, you would be correct in stating it has gone downhill. It is not a military base and Panamanians have not grasped the concept of throwing litter into garbage cans yet. Sad but true. However, the ACP has nothing to do with much of what you are now referring to.
The government of Panama was given a huge tract of land with over 50,000 buildings. Few were sold off. Now, redevelopment is taking hold.
The Panama Canal however is doing just fine. Profits are up on less revenue. Every business or government leader coming in that I meet is very impressed by the efforts down here.
The lock doors are refurbished on a regular basis and indeed, cause a bit of a delay during those times. Could it be you mistook the color of paint they use for rust? Could it be that your friend does not know about the new hydraulic mechanisms installed after the turnover?
The concrete for the locks is tougher than ever and now requires special drills to work with. Jackhammers have little to no effect. I would say that despite the looks of the locks, they are doing more business than ever over the last 10 years. In some cases, you see less attention on looks and more on performance. The things that count in terms of being a business.
Yes. I know colon, but try to avoid it. There is no base/facility planned atlantic side. The remnants of fort amador (some housing and landfill and a bunch of new stuff) I also don’t go to much. I was dismayed when they finally took down the hq building on amador, was a very pretty building. So much could have been done commercially with barracks row rather than buildoze and leave empty/parking lot. Some of the project planners in ballardes (or moscoso, not sure who demolished barrack row/amador) admin had no vision at all.
Places I do not know are the two pacific locations chosen.
People ought to read the treaty. It gives the US specific rights to use whatever means neccesary to protect the Canal but not to take over the Republic of Panama. It also give us the right to move to the front of the line to transit the Canal in time of emergency.
The Chinese are not in control of the Canal. Period. Not one military commander down here on visits expresses a concern about that. Panama Ports is too busy making money to worry about doing something stupid. they would lose their leases in a heartbeat if the Panamanian workers in the ports found weapons, troops hiding in containers, etc. Laughable at best. Can you imagine being in a container for any amount of time in this heat? Most workers have cell phones. They would all over any troop movements in a heart beat. You can't hide them here.
Logistically, and militarily, the is a world of hurt about 2.5 hours away to take on any threat. Far closer than China.
The article you linked to is from 1999 and is filled with uncertainty. Indeed, there are many here who miss the Americans and our money. However, the fears about the Canal being run into the ground were unfounded.
They inherited a basically sound system of processes and controls. They retained many of the skilled American workers to help the transition. It was sound thinking then and the results are speaking for themselves as a business.
I am speaking to the point about the Canal and not the old zone. The ACP does not control the entire former Canal Zone.
It sounds like you are there.
It is not Chinese controlled and never has been. Owned and operated by the Panama. Pilots are Panamanian. Top management including the guy running the operations are Panamanians — many educated in the US at places like Annapolis and Mass Maritime Academy.
The only Chinese connection of note is the company from Hong Kong (which may have some stock owned by the Chinese government) with a management contract for some port facilities on either side. They are not the only port operators here though.
So relax. Those of us who live here are not worried about the Chinese. The closer threat is Hugo and his BS. He has agents on the ground here. The Iran connection is something we worry about.
Yep. Over 5 years and married to a Panamanian. Navy League duties give me a unique perspective on things and I meet with people most never do — Military and otherwise.
If they were really falling down on the job, the delays would be intolerable and frequent. It would have happened within a few years of the takeover. They need regular attention.
Delays that do occur are caused by the amount of ships making transits and the scheduled maintenance the ACP does every year. Each lock is overhauled on time. Witness the following example of their notice to shipping:
http://www.pancanal.com/common/maritime/advisories/2009/a-12-2009.pdf
They have their act together. They should, Panama inherited their operations manual designed by Americans over 80 plus years. :-)
This is a good site to visit regarding their communications to the industry:
http://www.pancanal.com/common/maritime/advisories/index.html
bookmarked
Oops, my mistake, and a big one at that.
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