Deposed President Discusses Possible Accord : Might Let Noriega Stay, Delvalle Says

Eric A. Delvalle, Panama’s deposed president-in-hiding, said Tuesday that as part of a settlement of his country’s prolonged political crisis, Gen. Manuel A. Noriega could be permitted to stay in Panama or, if he leaves for exile, could return later.

Delvalle said that if he is restored to the presidency, he would be willing to grant Noriega a pardon for various crimes that the strongman is said to have committed. He was not clear about what charges might be erased by such a pardon.

As an alternative, Delvalle added, it would be “convenient” for Noriega to spend several years outside the country and return when time limits run out on any accusations brought against him.

“Constitutionally, Noriega cannot be prohibited from staying,” Delvalle said.

As for a pardon, he added, “I think, if this is what brings peace and a solution, a pardon would be logical, in spite of the grave charges that might be made against him.”

Noriega has been accused by associates of crimes ranging from drug smuggling to ordering the murder of a political foe. In addition, two grand juries in Florida have indicted him on drug charges.

While Noriega remains in power, Delvalle said, the United States should maintain economic pressure on Panama.

“We Panamanians have to understand that in order to end a dictatorship of almost 20 years, there have to be sacrifices.” But he said that adjustments could be made in special cases.

Delvalle’s comments in an interview with The Times came amid a rethinking by the Reagan Administration of conditions that might lead to Noriega’s ouster. Until recently, the Administration insisted that Noriega must step down immediately and leave the hemisphere. But with harsh U.S. economic sanctions failing to drive him out of power, American officials are reconsidering their stance, sources here say.

Delvalle granted interviews with some American reporters on the condition that his location and the means of arranging the meeting not be disclosed.

Delvalle, 51, has been in hiding since Noriega engineered his ouster from the presidency on Feb. 26. The day before, Delvalle had tried to dismiss Noriega from his command of the Panama Defense Forces, the country’s military establishment.

The United States continues to recognize Delvalle as Panama’s legal president, and U.S. economic sanctions have been imposed in his name.

Delvalle said he met with State Department official Michael G. Kozak when Kozak visited Panama on the weekend of April 16. He gave no details of the meeting except to say that it was held before Kozak met with Noriega.

Kozak’s visit has set off speculation here that the United States is trying to work out a deal with Noriega that may fall short of the original U.S. goal of immediately driving him from power.

A Western diplomat offered one scenario for resolving the crisis: The United States and Panama engage in secret talks; a Panamanian government of national reconciliation is formed, including foes of Noriega, and agrees on a date for Noriega to step down; then, on the day the agreement is signed, the United States lifts economic sanctions.