The U.S. Invasion of Panama: The Truth Behind Operational 'Just Cause' [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

Let me just quote some of the comments I made previously on my website regarding this and some other relevant books. To begin with, this is what we saw on US television regarding the Panama Invasion: Noriega was bivouacked in a Catholic nunciature (no, I don't know what that is either) for sanctuary and the US forces attempted to drive him out by blasting Ted Nugent songs from an outdoor speaker system 24 hours a day. ) That would certainly break my will to live. (We finally gave up on this tactic at the request of the Vatican.)
At least, this is what we saw on TV in the United States. My memory of this is not perfect, but it seemed to me that this was presented to us as something in the nature of a fraternity prank. To be honest, I didn't pay much attention to it at the time. Actually, though, it was the biggest US military mobilization since the Vietnam war. There is controversy regarding civilian deaths versus Noriega's "dignity battalion" (Dingbats!) combatant deaths, but I think the best estimates are around 300 or so, including combatants. Noriega's men were responsible for some of those. Panamanians in the poor El Chorillo district lost their homes (and some of them, their lives) due to fire. The initial US attack on the headquarters of the PDF caused a few of these homes to burn, but the remainder were torched hours later by Noriega's batalloneros. Twenty-three American soldiers and three American civilians were killed. Oddly, some of these fatalities were from friendly fire. You read different books, you get different stories.
I thought that John Lindsay-Poland's book "Emperors in the Jungle" was excellent. He goes into great detail about the pollution and dangerous munitions left behind by the US military. He doesn't pull any punches and the book rings true. The 1096 page long tome by Luis Murillo "The Noriega Mess" is a fascinating read (it could be an action movie, I think) and packed information of all kinds -very well researched. Inexplicably enough, the guy holds a doctorate in aerospace engineering. His mother was head librarian at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Station, which is located on Barro Colorado Island in the Panama canal.
And now in fairness, I must report that I recently acquired an apparently out-of-print book written after the invasion by a committee (!?). It is called The Invasion of Panama - The Truth Behind Operation 'Just Cause'. The term "vitriolic" doesn't do this book's attitude justice. In it, we see the US forces as demonic monsters who charged into Panama, mowing down everyone in their path. There were either 1000, 2000, or perhaps 4000 civilian deaths. Mass graves, high caliber munitions used indiscriminately against citizens. The dignity battalions were brave Panamanian volunteers fighting to protect their country against the cruel invaders. Noriega was the victim of a US campaign to "demonize" him. El Chorillo was intentionally destroyed, apparently out of spite, by the Americans. I am no apologist for American military intervention, and protested the Vietnam war, but this scenario just doesn't ring true.
I don't know what to make of this book. If half of this stuff is true, you would think no American would dare show his face in Panama ever again. One thing I am sure of: no pipe-wielding Dingbats were charging heavily armed US military personnel. Also, I think Noriega did a pretty good job of demonizing himself. One more problem here: the reason the US invaded, according to the author(s), was to prevent the loss of the canal in 2000 and to maintain a US military presence there in perpetuity, ie., to negate the Carter treaty. So.....that sure didn't work out, did it? Americans didn't find out about all these atrocities because there was a news blackout, and on and on. I just don't know what to think. On the other hand, why would anyone make all this up? I don't know. I wasn't there. Very disturbing, especially as the authors are anonymous.

As always with anything in life there are two sides to every story.

I was asssigned to the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg and was part of the Operation Blue Spoon and what was ultimately Operation Just Cause. I served as a Communications Chief not only as a planner but as a TACSAT (Tactical Satellite Radio Operator)for the Corps G-3 (Operations).

I did appreciate the "other side" of the story from local Panamaian Nationals but from various times in the books I found that it lacked the whole story of the PDF (Panamaian Defense Forces) as well as the Dignity Battalions and Battalion 2000 and their role during the events in the months leading up to the invasion.

I did find a that facts were either not fully researched or "grasping at straws" in certain cases with information regarding the night of the invasion.

One in particular; on page 24-25 involving the rescue of Kurt Muse. Kurt Muse was NOT rescued by the 82nd Airborne. The rescue mission was executed by Task Force 160th and Special Forces personnel. Also several key points are that this prison was on the compound of the Commandancia (PDF Headquarters)and secondly that Kurt Muse had been in the prison for over 9 months.

The reader needs to keep in mind that many events were on going that led up to the arrest of Noriega and the Operation Blue Spoon. Roadblocks by the PDF were a common place event as well as harassment by the Dignity Battalions.

Panama had many housing areas that supported the bases of the military personnel and these dependants many times were at risk due to these harassment operations.

In fact; this book "glossed over" the fact of a few nights leading up to the invasion that a group of off duty military were stopped and beaten by the PDF and one of the offiers were killed in a shooting.

This was later investigated and was verified by a Navy Lt. Commander, Adam Curtis and his whose wife Bonnie that witnessed this event. (This is a matter of Official Military record).

This book did offer both sides of the story, however; it could have been presented better if all facts were reported and thoroughly investigated to include BOTH SIDES to include the military personnel that were involved.

Was only about 8 or 9 years old but I remember clearly walking up to a tank wanting to look at its barrel. It was right down the hill from my building. Sneaked down to have a look when I wasn't suppose to cause of the danger. The thing was huge. Also remember every night the entire building as well as the surrounding buildings. We would all beat our pots and pans in protest of the occupation. We wanted the "gringos" as we would call them, out! So there was a clear disliking. My uncle was killed during the invasion. There's still stories until today how the U.S. has left landmines in some areas and how some children have lost limbs playing in the fields. Now as a U.S. citizen, we all in this country know better than to believe this governments propaganda. Just look at all its discrepancies regarding 9/11 and Iraq. I wouldn't doubt if this book wasn't far from the truth. I'm giving it 5 stars just because it was made and helping people make an opinion of its government and the people running it.