Panama Canal Reopened for Daytime Traffic
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WASHINGTON — The Panama Canal, closed Wednesday for the first time in its 75-year history for reasons other than natural causes after U.S. troops invaded Panama, was reopened today to limited daylight traffic only, the Panama Canal Commission said.
A dozen or more vessels are expected to pass through the strategic Atlantic-Pacific waterway today, the commission said in a statement.
Normal 24-hour passage of ships through the canal is expected by the weekend.
“The commission temporarily suspended service at 1 a.m. on Wednesday due to concern for the safety of vessels and canal employees in the area during U.S. military activities in the area,” the commission said.
President Bush ordered thousands of U.S. troops into Panama early Wednesday, forcing Panamanian strongman Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega to flee into hiding.
The commission said: “Initially service will be limited to daylight hours with a dozen or more vessels scheduled to pass through the waterway on Thursday,” it added.
“But it is anticipated that the canal will return to normal 24-hour operations by the weekend,” it said.
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