Friday, April 19, 1963 University Daily Kansan
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U.S. Unpopular-
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American tax dollars in the Alliance for Progress to try to strengthen Latin America against Communism. I think it would be an exercise in futility to turn over money to Brazil so it can promote trade with Russia."
MUCH OF the current trouble in Brazil dates to the regime of President Janio Quadros, who quit office last August after seven months in power. He complained the job was too much for him.
Before Quadros quit, he shifted his country away from the United States and toward closer relations with the Communist bloc. Last spring a Soviet trade fair opened in Rio de Janeiro. A Soviet ambassador moved in after a 14-year break in relations between Russia and Brazil.
Chinese Communists have no diplomatic relations with Brazil, but have set up a cultural exchange program. The Archbishop of Rio recently declared in a television appearance that the Sino-Brazil Society has become a base for Chinese Communist propaganda among Brazilian teachers, journalists and intellectuals.
BRAZIL MAINTAINS strong ties with Castro's Cuba. It was the Brazilian delegation to the meeting in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in January 1962, which led the opposition against a U.S. move to oust the Cuban regime from the Organization of American States.
To date the Brazilian government has taken no action on charges of the country's navy minister, who said that the Cuban ambassador travels from city to city in Brazil stirring up hatred of the United States, and supporting
Communist student and labor groups. Castro takes plane loads of Brazilians to Havana on expense-paid trips, and students are offered scholarships in Cuban universities provided they take guerilla warfare training.
The United States is under continued attack by Brazilian politicians. One of the most outspoken is Leonel Brizola, governor of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southernmost of Brazil's 20 states. Brizola has seized American-owned utility companies for the state government, offering only token payment in return.
BRIZOLA WAS reported to have told a crowd of students that all of Brazil's problems can be traced to "the occupation of our nation by the United States." This occupation, he said, was economic. He lumps together American foreign investments, Alliance for Progress, and the Foods for Peace program as "instruments of American neocolonialism."
A poll taken by the Rio newspaper, Journal do Brazil, shows that of five prominent men suggested for the presidency, Gov. Brizola, with his anti-American line, heads the list in popularity.
SOME CHECKS exist which may eventually keep Brazil from going the way of Cuba, Observers agree that most of the educated Brazilians abhor communism and extremist violence.
Brazil, however, demands close watching. Demagogues and Communists continue to work together spreading anti-American slogans. Also, a large segment of Brazil's poorer population is hungry, ill-clothed, uneducated and sick. They are fed up with things as they are and desire a change.
U.S. Control of Panama Canal-
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KENNEDY HAS TOLD Chiari that when the present canal reaches its capacity, the United States will build another one. This is expected to occur between 1980 and 2000.
If such a project were decided upon, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission would use a series of nuclear blasts to dig the channel. They estimate that nuclear devices would save the government more than half of the $3 billion it cost to dig the Panama Canal.
Whether Panamanians feel resentment or gratitude for American presence in Panama, they have developed a dependence on the canal. The Panama Canal is the country's biggest business.
IT PROVIDES jobs for Panamanian laborers at twice the wages they are paid in other parts of Panama. Critics observe that these wages are lower than those paid Americans working in the zone and are therefore "discriminatory."
Presence of the canal in Panama attracted $58 million in U.S. grants to the Spanish-speaking nation between July 1935 and July 1962. Loans of nearly $39 million have been used for roads, housing, sewage, educational and medical facilities.
The 50,000 Yankees residing in the Canal Zone account for a large chunk of Panamanian economic stability. The Americans spend about 70 million American dollars annually. This is $10 million more than the entire budget of Panama.
PANAMA is run by a clique of about 40 families who own most of the land. Many have failed to develop their land. Some Americans feel that the Panama Canal and the United States make a convenient "whipping boy" for the
failures of this group of government officials.
They argue that the Panama Canal no longer is a necessity to United States military defense. It is now impossible for the United States to defend the canal against missiles.
The canal was acquired from a French company that had abandoned the project in 1887 because of bankruptcy and tropical diseases.
ARMY ENGINEERS began construction of the canal in 1907. Construction was hampered by frequent land slides and seizures of yellow fever.
Dr. William Gorgas, U.S. health official was brought in and given control of the health program in Panamanian cities. He was responsible for wiping out yellow fever in Panama. The canal was officially opened in 1920.
By 1932 the United States had surrendered its right to intervene in any Panamanian political activities which threatened the operation of the canal. It retained the power of absolute jurisdiction in the Canal Zone. The government of the Panama Canal operates under the alien law. The head of the government is president of the Panama Canal Company.
RESENTMENT IN Panama seems to stem from the people and their deep sense of independence. The U.S. has been generous with funds for development and pays a substantial amount of rent for use of the canal. But Panama is the landlord. The canal is on Panamanian property, yet Panama has no voice in its operation.
Several solutions have been suggested to appease the Panamanian irritation.
The canal could be nationalized
under Panama, Internationalized under a regional group such as the Organization of American States (OAS) or under the United Nations. The present U.S.-Panamanian "perpetual lease" agreement could be retained with several basic changes in the treaty.
If the canal were nationalized under Panama, special provisions would have to be made to insure free U.S. access to the canal. The United States probably would insist on good service at low cost and demand a voice in the operation of the canal. Panama might lose a large part of the 50,000 American consumers now working on the canal.
OPPONENTS OF those who favor internationalization of the canal under the OAS regard the group as an instrument of the U.S. State Department. They argue that others who depend on the canal for trade would be at a distinct disadvantage.
Many see internationalization under a special agency of the UN as the only fair answer. They say that in time of war a country would hesitate attacking a project protected by the United Nations.
A fourth alternative would mean extending the present policy for continued use of the canal by the United States.
THIS COULD MEAN a partnership giving both countries equal control. Panamanians would be trained for more of the skilled jobs now held by Americans. Workers would be paid equal wages whether their nationality be Latin or American.
Whatever the outcome a great deal will hinge on the question many Americans are asking themselves: What do Panamanians really want?
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