Panama Accuser Arrested

Amid gunfire and tear gas, security forces today stormed the home of Col. Roberto Diaz Herrera and arrested the ousted chief of staff whose accusations against strongman Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega triggered fierce anti-government rioting.

Archbishop Marcos McGrath, Panama’s leading Roman Catholic prelate, said Diaz Herrera was arrested, but there was no immediate comment by civilian or military authorities. Witnesses said two Panamanian Air Force helicopters fired tear gas early today at Diaz Herrera’s home and bodyguards at the home fired at the helicopters. The arrest came on the first day of a 48-hour general strike called by opposition leaders.