Reagan Bars Intervention as Panama Crisis Deepens : Ousted Chief Claims He’s Still No. 1

Eric Arturo Delvalle today proclaimed he is still Panama’s president, hours after the legislature voted to oust him for trying to fire the nation’s military chief and de facto ruler, Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega.

Delvalle called the move “legally despicable” and told reporters, “I am the president of Panama this morning.”

In a 10-minute session after midnight 38 legislators in the National Assembly voted Delvalle out of office and accused him of promoting U.S. interference in domestic affairs by trying to force out Noriega, who is under indictment in the United States on drug trafficking charges. The Cabinet immediately named a new chief of state, Education Minister Manuel Solis Palma, who was sworn in before dawn.

Noriega blamed the United States for the upheaval but said U.S. interests in Panama would be safe. He said the events are “strictly internal.”

U.S. Ambassador Arthur Davis said the U.S. government will not recognize the replacement for Delvalle, who had acted to assert civilian control over the government.

Delvalle spoke informally to reporters today at his home, where he has remained since he announced Thursday afternoon he was firing Noriega. He urged a trade embargo against Panama and told reporters, “There is no doubt about it. There is no legal power in Panamanian laws or the Constitution that allows the National Assembly” to dismiss a president.

Question of Authority

But when asked how he intends to exercise the functions of the presidency, Delvalle shrugged and replied with a tired smile: “That’s a good question.”

Delvalle said he will take his case to the nation’s Supreme Court, but added his chances are “very slim” because it is controlled by Noriega.

Opposition leaders were meeting today to discuss a possible national strike and the university was closed. Banks and stores remained open. There were no signs of street protests.

Carlos Ernesto Gonzales de la Lastra, a spokesman for the opposition National Civic Crusade coalition, said today in a telephone interview, “The National Civic Crusade and other opposition leaders are meeting to reach an agreement, with the intention of carrying out a national strike.” He declined to give more details.

In Washington, Panamanian dissident Jose I. Blandon said Delvalle knew in advance his bid to oust Noriega would fail, but he said it was one step in an 18-point opposition plan designed to topple the military chief.

Next Steps Detailed

The next steps in the plan, Blandon said, include rallying broad international support for Delvalle, a general strike in Panama and a possible embargo by the United States.

Noriega said through his Miami attorney, Ray Takiff, “All American interests in the republic are and shall remain undisturbed and unharmed.”

Noriega said he is a friend of the American people, but he denounced U.S. politicians who he said advocate “hysteria (and) act with a reckless disregard for the truth.”

The U.S. Southern Command has 10,000 troops and 20,000 dependents in Panama. The U.S. garrison was put on alert and told Americans to keep a low profile during any unrest.

The White House called for Noriega’s resignation after his indictment in Florida on Feb. 5. Delvalle’s attempt to oust Noriega, announced in a nationwide broadcast Thursday night, received immediate backing from the United States.

But Noriega and his supporters moved quickly to unseat both Delvalle and Vice President Roderick Esquivel.