The World - News from Aug. 9, 1989

U.S. soldiers detained 29 Panamanians who entered a restricted military area and released them after confiscating their weapons, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Southern Command in Panama reported. She said that among those briefly detained were 10 officers and soldiers of the Panamanian Defense Forces, including Maj. Manuel Sieiro, brother-in-law of Panama strongman Manuel A. Noriega. Five Panamanian journalists were among the civilians in the group, the spokeswoman added. About 40 U.S. Marines were conducting “a reconnaissance exercise on roads” leading to the Panama Canal when the Panamanians entered the area in 15 vehicles. A number of submachine guns, rifles and pistols were confiscated, the spokeswoman said.