U.S. Officials in Sync With Hasty Lowering of Old Glory

It was a hurried--some said ignoble--exit from an outpost of U.S. engineering and military prowess. The last U.S. flag was lowered over the Panama Canal in a low-profile ceremony apparently aimed at playing down the hand-over of the waterway.

U.S. officials among the small group that witnessed the striking of the U.S. colors Thursday at the Canal Commission headquarters appeared irritated that even a few reporters found out about the ceremony.

The flag-lowering had been planned for a joint U.S.-Panama ceremony Friday, but it was hastily moved up at Washington’s insistence to avoid potential embarrassment, Panamanian officials said.

Carping in the U.S. Congress about the hand-over and doubts about Panama’s ability to ensure the canal’s security apparently convinced the Clinton administration to avoid any showy display.

“It was a solemn and dignified act,” U.S. Ambassador Simon Ferro said.

“Somehow, I think it would have been nobler to lower the flag at [Friday’s] ceremony,” former Panamanian Foreign Minister Jorge Ritter said.

“I cannot understand the last-minute decision to do this as if it was something shameful. The United States has nothing to be ashamed of in complying with the treaties” for the canal’s hand-over.

The canal handles about 14,000 ships a year.