Mary Day Kent, international classroom coordinator of the University Museum, spoke last night of her recent trip to Panama, two years after the American invasion of that country. Kent, an American who grew up in Panama, presented the changes in Panama's development since the invasion on December 20, 1989 through a series of slides. Kent spoke to about 25 people from the University and the area, many of them Panamanians. "I went to Panama because of the second anniversary of the invasion, with a mental picture of an article I might write," said Kent. "The reality made the picture more complex, not what I expected." Kent showed slides of El Chorrillo, the village targeted by the 1989 U.S. invasion. El Chorrillo was destroyed, and the motto of the displaced survivors is "It is forbidden to forget." Kent presented slides of the village both before and after the attack. Kent stresses that today, Panama is a nation in transition. Panamanians are striving to create a national identity independent of the United States. She said Panama is facing an uncertain future. In 1999 the U.S. will retreat from Panama, as stipulated by the Panama Canal Treaty. The extent to which U.S. forces will leave Panama is not yet clear, but Kent said massive changes in Panama's political, economic, and social spheres are certain to occur. "The U.S. will keep three military bases with major airstrips or intelligence capability, and possibly try to attain another," said Kent. Kent noted Panama's high literacy rate and economic appeal to international investments as positive aspects of the nation's future. Both Japan and Hong Kong show interest in the resources of the canal area. She also said she believes that drug use, money laundering, and unemployment still plague Panama. Several Panamanians in the audience contested that point. Kent explained several changes that have taken place in Panama since the overthrow of Manuel Noriega. Today, citizens can freely demonstrate in the streets. However, Panamanians, even supporters of the invasion, still raise questions. Kent said they feel that perhaps the situation could have been resolved without interference of an outside power or the military. "There are still people sorting out what the meaning of the invasion was, and great debate exists over these feelings," she said. Third-year Law student Martin Arias, a Panamanian student at the University, commended Kent on her presentation. "She captured accurately the complex transition, and not the simplistic individual issues facing Panama," he said.
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