Assembly demands immediate halt of United States intervention in Panama; similar text vetoed in Security Council.

Similar text vetoed in Security Council

The General Assembly on 29 December demanded "the immediate cessation of the intervention and the withdrawal from Panama of the armed invasion forces of the United States".

It also strongly deplored the intervention, calling it "a flagrant violation of international law and of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of States".

In resolution 44/240, adopted by 75 votes to 20, with 40 abstentions, the Assembly demanded full respect for and strict observance of the letter and spirit of the TorrijosCarter Treaties on the Panama Canal. Among other things, the Treaties provide for tile transfer of control of the Canal from the United States to Panama by the year 2000.

The Assembly also called upon all States to uphold and respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Panama. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar was requested to monitor the developments in Panama and to report to the Assembly within 24 hours after the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. Perez de Cuellar told the Assembly a day later that he was in no position to provide the substantive report asked of him, since he did not have at his disposal sources of information "other than those publicly available" (A/44/911).

Thirty-five speakers were heard during the two plenary meetings devoted to the situation in Panama (28-29 December). United States invokes "self-defence"

In a letter to the Security Council President SI21035) released on 20 December...