Records Show U.S. Attempted to Kill Noriega, Lawyer Says

The U.S. government is holding files that show it attempted to assassinate both Manuel A. Noriega and his predecessor as Panama’s leader, Noriega’s attorney said in federal court Tuesday.

Those records, “acquired by Gen. Noriega” and later seized during the American invasion of Panama in December, 1989, should be turned over as vital to Noriega’s defense against drug-running charges, asserted attorney Frank A. Rubino.

Rubino submitted a list of requested documents, including any additional evidence involving assassination attempts against Noriega and Gen. Omar Torrijos, whose death in a plane crash paved the way for Noriega to take power.

Noriega, who has been held in a federal prison here for 15 months, is scheduled to stand trial July 22.

Rubino’s mention of assassination attempts brought an immediate objection from government prosecutors, who argued that the information was classified and could not be discussed in open court. After a brief sidebar conference, U.S. District Judge William M. Hoeveler upheld the objection.

But that was only one fascinating tidbit that leaked out during a two-hour hearing on three defense motions requesting documents. Rubino also asked for records of a meeting Noriega had with then-Vice President George Bush, 47 file cabinets of documents from Noriega’s personal files, drug investigation reports from both Panamanian authorities and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, and a list of 60 to 80 prospective government witnesses.

Hoeveler said he would rule soon on the requests. Earlier in the hearing, Hoeveler resolutely affirmed his intention to avoid any further delays in the trial, which has been postponed three times. “I have been hearing rumors, and I want to dispel them lest anyone think they come from my office,” he said. “This trial is set for July 22, and it’s going to go on July 22.