Noriega Celebrates His 5th Year of Rule

PANAMA CITY — Military leader Manuel A. Noriega, marking his fifth anniversary as head of the Panama Defense Forces, said Friday that the United States is going to have to put up with him.

In a speech during the anniversary celebration, Noriega told Washington to “keep your hands off of Panama,” and, referring to himself in the third person, said: “Forget about Noriega. Maybe Noriega is better than what is to come. Therefore, it’s preferable to put up with Noriega.”

Noriega addressed military and civilian dignitaries and thousands of supporters gathered at a Panamanian air base for the celebration, which included a military parade and a 21-gun salute.

Surrounded by Speculation

The anniversary had been surrounded by speculation that Noriega might offer his resignation as commander in chief of the 16,000-member Panama Defense Forces or announce that he will run for president in elections scheduled for May, 1989.

However, Noriega, 59, offered no hint that he might step down, and his only reference to the elections was to repeat assurances that they will be honest.

The Reagan Administration, which is backing moves to force its former ally out of power, tried to negotiate a deal last May in which Noriega would step down in exchange for the dropping of two Florida federal grand jury indictments against him on drug trafficking charges.

However, the talks collapsed, and U.S. policy, as well as the opposition movement in Panama, has fallen into disarray as Noriega remains apparently confident and in control.

A leader of the opposition Civic Crusade, a coalition of about 200 business and labor groups, said he believes that Noriega will eventually run for president but will announce his candidacy later.