So far, more than 20 people have been killed, mostly Panamanians, including several policemen.
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In sum, sceptics ask, are Panamanians really ready to run their canal and country on their own?
William Allen Broughton had known the Panamanians since 1982 when they helped him form a number of companies.
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But Panamanians in a referendum last year roundly rejected his hopes of a constitutional amendment to permit that.
Through a Lloyds of London contact, they got in touch with Connally, who then introduced them to the Panamanians.
FORBES: Broughton -- Rented Assets And Bogus Offshore Insurance Companies
But Peterson was not the only one to get involved with the Panamanians.
FORBES: Broughton -- Rented Assets And Bogus Offshore Insurance Companies
That, estimates the authority, would lift 100, 000 Panamanians out of poverty: today 1m are poor in a population of 3.4m.
President Ricardo Martinelli asked Panamanians "to save energy because the lack of rain is really causing havoc with our electricity system".
The government says the decision was taken in accordance with a law stipulating that all senior media editors must be Panamanians.
But with 40% of Panamanians still living in poverty, and unemployment at 8.6% last year (though falling), that will not be popular.
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And the question arises: If this is the way the Panamanians run their criminal-justice system, what hope is there for the canal?
Panamanians accept American currency, and credit and debit cards are used widely.
Hence Panama, which is great for Panamanians, as they get the jobs, the fish, and the export revenue, but not so great for us.
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But even Panamanians who cheered the 1989 U.S. invasion that overthrew strongman General Manuel Antonio Noriega consider the completed handover a point of national pride.
Eventually, ten persons were indicted for the scheme, including the Panamanians, Peterson and Broughton, and all were convicted and their convictions affirmed by the Sixth Circuit.
FORBES: Broughton -- Rented Assets And Bogus Offshore Insurance Companies
The name "Manuel Noriega" conjures dark memories for most Panamanians.
The Panamanians (who took control of the canal from the Americans in 1999) have been working at it since 2007 and are due to be ready for the big ships in 2014.
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His father, who died in a plane crash in 1981, is fondly remembered by many Panamanians for his social policies, including low-cost housing and better access for the poor to education and health care.
Though a poll this week in a daily newspaper, La Prensa, showed 72% of Panamanians want the bases to stay, mostly for economic reasons, any continued American presence is deeply offensive to a vocal minority.
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