General Strike Gets Off to Slow Start in Panama

PANAMA CITY â€”  A general strike started today to demand the resignation of Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega, but government intimidation, censorship and the fact that today is payday apparently hurt its effectiveness.

The opposition asked the nation’s businesses and industries to close today and remain shut indefinitely.

Deposed President Eric Arturo Delvalle remained in hiding, defying Noriega, who ousted Delvalle and ordered him out of the country.

Buses, by far the main mode of public transportation, ran this morning like any other morning. Most were full, taking people to work.

About two-thirds of the stores were open at a commercial center of more than 100 enterprises on Central Avenue in Panama City.

Many Banks Closed

Many Panamanian banks were closed by the strike, but international banks were open.

Several people questioned as they stepped from buses on their way to work mentioned intimidation as a reason for not observing the strike.

“There’s fear,� said a middle-aged bank employee. “We lack unity to confront these people who have all the arms and are disposed to use them.�

“The people don’t have means to resist,� said a woman, a domestic employee, walking with him. “One has to live as (the armed forces) say.�

The two also noted that today, being the last day of the month, is payday for many Panamanians.

Veiled Threat by Police

Police Chief Col. Leonidas Macias told journalists that it would be understandable if hungry people looted a closed supermarket and that his forces would not try to prevent them.

The strike call was supported by the industrial workers union of Panama, and its effectiveness appeared to be greater in industry than in commerce. Most factories in Panama City’s industrial zone were closed.

Roberto Brenes, a leader of the National Civic Crusade, predicted that the strike would do well in manufacturing and construction but would be less effective in the service industries.

Opposition figures also said they expected the strike to pick up in several days. They said government censorship had slowed word of the strike.