Panamanian Embassy in U.S. to Close

The Panamanian Embassy in Washington, which has been under the control of forces opposed to Gen. Manuel A. Noriega, will be closed next week until democracy is restored to Panama, it was announced Tuesday.

Ambassador Juan B. Sosa, who has used the embassy as an anti-Noriega headquarters for the past 18 months, made the disclosure in an interview on the eve of a meeting of Organization of American States foreign ministers on Panama.

Sosa was appointed ambassador to Washington by then-President Eric A. Delvalle two years ago. Delvalle was deposed by Noriega’s allies in 1988, but the United States continues to regard him as the legitimate authority in Panama. It also continues to recognize Sosa.

Meanwhile, in Panama, Noriega said the opposition had made a mistake by rejecting an offer to join a national unity government during talks mediated by an OAS team. The mediators were to present their report to the OAS foreign ministers today.

In his first public comment since talks on the Panamanian political crisis--sparked by the annulment of the May 7 elections--ended in failure Monday, Noriega said the government could not have made more concessions.

“They (the opposition) have committed a historic error. They were offered half of the government, and they, with their great economic capacity and U.S. support, would have taken the whole government,” he said.

In Washington, Sosa said he has decided to close the embassy on Aug. 31 because Sept. 1 is the date on which Delvalle’s term was scheduled to expire.