January 4, 1989

Balboa Journal; Noriega's Comic Strip War: It's Deadly Serious

By LINDSEY GRUSON, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES

LEAD: The cartoon cutouts on the manicured lawn here at first resemble the
backdrop of a perverse miniature golf course: a gunslinger putting a bullet
betwen Santa Claus's eyes.

The cartoon cutouts on the manicured lawn here at first resemble the backdrop
of a perverse miniature golf course: a gunslinger putting a bullet betwen Santa
Claus's eyes.

But a closer inspection of the scene in the garden of the whitewashed police
station reveals a new front in a propaganda war waged by Gen. Manuel Antonio
Noriega, the Panamanian leader. The gunslinger is the United States Ambassador,
Arthur H. Davis, and despite a white hat he is clearly the villain.

In a second scene, a weeping woman and her sick son watch while President
Reagan stuffs dollar bills from a two-reindeer sleigh into the outstretched
mouth of Eric Arturo Delvalle, the ousted Panamanian President whom the United
States continues to support as Panama's legitimate authority. No Photographs
Allowed

Two policemen with automatic rifles guard the scene, which sparkles at night
under the glare of a dozen high-intensity spotlights. But the regime apparently
remains sensitive about the display, which has pushed the traditional creche and
three wise men into the background. The guards quickly shoo away anyone stopping
to take photographs.

American diplomats say the display seems part of a new campaign against the
United States, which has imposed a variety of economic sanctions against Panama
in an attempt to force General Noriega to resign. He has been indicted in
Florida on drug trafficking charges.

The 54-year-old strongman has responded with a vitriolic campaign in which he
has tried to portray himself and Panama as a victim of American imperialism.
Billboard Outside Embassy

A few weeks ago, workmen erected a three-panel billboard outside the United
States Embassy in nearby Panama City. The giant posters denounce Ambassador
Davis, his daughter, Susan, and John Maisto, the deputy chief of mission, as
''unwelcome.''

United States diplomats and other Americans seem more amused than angry at
the lawn display and the posters. ''I don't have three chins,'' Mr. Maisto
complained laughingly. ''I'm much handsomer than they make me appear.'' The Two
Faces of Noriega?

Political opponents of General Noriega say he is trying to win international
approbation by publicly supporting the coming presidential elections while
privately working to torpedo the opposition coalition.

That has led several opposition politicians to call for a boycott of the May
7 elections.

Apparently in response, billboards began appearing around town a few weeks
ago featuring Louis Gaspar Suarez, a close friend of the general. He is shown
grasping a microphone and endorsing the elections as ''The Real Panamanian
Solution.''

The general's critics say that the dichotomy between General Noriega's public
and private positions was driven home here during a recent military uprising in
Argentina.

Mr. Suarez, a radio announcer, reported the revolt even before it was
reported in Buenos Aires and endorsed it, the critics charge.

He also lavished praise on the leader of the uprising, Mohammed Ali
Seineldin, who was stationed in Panama for almost four years at the personal
request of General Noriega.

Reports began circulating in both countries that General Noriega had helped
plan and organize the unsuccessful coup. But Argentine diplomats in Panama
dismiss those reports as ''old history'' and say they do not plan to file any
protests. All the President's Horses

Mr. Delvalle, who supported General Noriega before turning on his mentor and
trying to force him from power, is often derided here as the ''phantom President
of a nonexistent government.''

But he and his family have tried to keep up appearances, even during the 10
months in which they has been living in hiding. Associates who still see them
say they always dress formally for dinner.

But in what many say is the ultimate humiliation for the family in a country
with a passion for horses, General Noriega ordered the confiscation and sale of
the family's stable of 118 thoroughbred racehorses early in December.

In a secret meeting with senior United States officials shortly afterward,
the deposed President reportedly threatened to resign unless Washington
established a specific plan and timetable for forcing General Noriega to
relinquish power.

Apparently in response to his concerns, Mr. Devalle was flown to Washington
on an American military plane to consult with President Reagan and
President-elect George Bush. It was, officials said, an attempt to give the
embattled President a morale lift.

''It may not be the winners' circle, but it's not a bad consolation prize,''
one acquaintance said.

Mr. Delvalle flew to Washington for consultations on Dec. 21 but is assumed
to have returned to Panama. The Canal Tug-of-War

General Noriega seems to have enough money and support to hang on for the
foreseeable future, but not enough to overcome the country's financial
paralysis.

In an attempt to increase the pressure on Washington to end its economic
sanctions, the Noriega Government is pressuring civilian employees of the canal,
which has withheld tax payments in accord with the American embargo.

The Government has vowed to confiscate and sell at auction the employees'
houses, cars and personal possessions unless they immediately pay all taxes
currently due.

The Canal Commission has promised to do what it can for the employees. It
plans to pay lawyers' fees and provide civilians with rental cars, furnishings
and temporary accommodations if their property is seized.

But that has provided scant relief. The Government drives home its threat
every day by publishing two-page lists of houses scheduled for sale in local
newspapers.

In a joint news conference recently, leaders of five unions representing
about 12,000 employees charged both Governments were using them as ''pawns'' in
a ''psychological war.''

Copyright
2007 The New York Times Company

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