COMBAT IN PANAMA : ‘Operation Just Cause’

MAJOR ACTIONS: STEP BY STEP

Just before U.S. military operation, dubbed “Just Cause” begins early Wednesday, Guillermo Endara is sworn in as Panama’s president. An opponent of strongman Manuel A. Noriega, he is presumed winner of May 7 elections that were nullified by Noriega’s regime.

Fighting begins at 1 a.m., under light of full moon. First come explosions signaling start of invasion. Then Panamanian soldiers round up terrorized guests at plush Marriott Hotel and take hostages, including Americans.

American troops, backed by fighter jets, attack central headquarters of the Panama Defense Forces in downtown Panama City and jointly operated Ft. Amador military base, where Noriega also keeps offices.

U.S. soldiers with machine guns and in tanks open fire in residential Diablo Heights section, abutting U.S.-run Albrook Air Base. In San Miguelito neighborhood in northeast, jets bomb and helicopters strafe Defense Force barracks atop a hill. In Old Panama, Defense Forces military base is under attack, and U.S, helicopter is reportedly shot down.

Four U.S. tanks surround U.S. Embassy, which reportedly is hit by one or two rounds from what is believed to be a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.

During the night, area around Noriega’s Panama Defense Forces headquarters is burned by what local residents say is gunfire from a helicopter. By morning, burned buildings are seen.

U.S. troops seize studios of military-run television Channel 2, and U.S. Defense Department begins broadcasting.

At Ft. Amador, Defense Forces barracks are shelled by U.S. artillery. Snipers keep U.S. troops at bay.

Panama Canal is closed after U.S. troops move over bridge at canal’s Miraflores Locks.

Fighting in Panama City continues into Wednesday afternoon in working-class neighborhoods controlled by so-called Dignity Battalions, Noriega’citizen militia.

CASUALTIES: Fifteen U.S. servicemen are killed, one is missing and 59 are wounded, Washington says Wednesday. An American civilian is reported slain. Officials at Santo Tojmas Hospital in Panama City report more than 50 Panamanians dead, including civilians and troops, and hundreds wounded.

HOSTAGES: About 40 American civilians, including several journalists, have been “detained,” according to Panama’s national radio.

HISTORY: U.S. military involvement in the Central American nation dates back to 1903 when Panama granted use, occupation and control of the Canal Zone to the United States by treaty, which was ratified in 1904.

The 51-mile-long canal was built between 1904 and 1914 and the U.S.-controlled Canal Zone came into being May 4, 1904, under the terms of a U.S.-Panama treaty.

In 1978, a new treaty provided for a gradual takeover by Panama of the canal, which holds significant military and economic importance to the Western Hemisphere.

Under another treaty signed in 1977, Panama assumes full control of the waterway itself in 2000.

The Wednesday’s closure of the Panama Canal marked the first time it has been closed because of military intervention. It is expected the canal to be reopened today.

NUMBERS DEPLOYED: More than 20,000 U.S. Marines, paratroopers, infantrymen, sailors and airmen are involved in military action in Panama. Total of 9,500 have been airlifted from three U.S. bases to reinforce 13,000 troops already stationed in Panama.

PANAMA CANAL: U.S. personnel were immediately deployed to former Panama Canal Zone and Tocumen International Airport. Ranger battalion seized airport to prepare for landings of U.S. aircraft carrying more troops early Wednesday. Canal was shut down. State Department says 1970s treaty gives Washington authority “in time of war to defend and secure the canal.” Including military personnel and dependents, about 35,000 Americans live in Panama.