[kcvl]

Howard Phillips for President 2000...

"I have been to Panama on many occasions. I have been there a couple of times with Larry Klayman of Judicial Watch.

[kcvl]

Phillips says Panamanian officials told him that two Russian companies and two Chinese companies are bidding for control of Howard Air Force Base. The Panamanians are expecting to reap upwards of $3.5 billion from the sale. Phillips is dumbfounded that such a strategic base - one that was used as the main U.S. military base for Central America - could fall into unfriendly hands.

"Any U.S. senator or congressman who looks at that base, and fails to keep it in U.S. hands, is doing great harm to our country," Phillips said.

Phillips said there are several other bidders, including Texas billionaire Ross Perot, but he fears that Chinese and Russian companies may use illicit means to win the bidding process.

[Howlin]

FYI.