Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 101 Part 2.djvu/191

 PUBLIC LAW 100-180—DEC. 4, 1987

101 STAT. 1177

(4) On October 8, 1987, elements of the Armed Forces of the United States, acting jointly, successfully defended themselves against an attack by Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf. (5) The success of those joint operations (A) serves notice to Iran that the United States will react decisively and effectively to such hostile activities, and (B) may result in reduced risk to United States interests in the Persian Gulf. (6) There is precedent throughout the history of the United States for Congress to recognize and commend similar operations by the Armed Forces of the United States, including Congressional praise on February 3, 1802, of "the gallant conduct" of certain members of a United States Naval force in the Wars with the Barbary Powers. (b) CONGRESSIONAL COMMENDATIONS.—The Congress hereby—

(1) declares that those members of the Armed Forces who participated in the joint operations of September 21-22, 1987, and October 8, 1987, in the Persian Gulf acted in the finest military and naval traditions of the United States and displayed exemplary professionalism, skill, and dedication; and (2) commends those members, and all members of the Armed Forces who acted in support of those operations, for their participation in those important and successful operations. SEC. 1402. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING JUSTIFICATION FOR SINKING IRANIAN VESSELS

Maritime affairs.

It is the sense of the Senate that the Armed Forces of the United States are fully justified in sinking any Iranian vessel which threatens the safe passage of (1) any warship of the United States, or (2) any other vessel known to have on board any citizen of the United States. This section shall not in itself be construed as legislative authority for any specific military operation. SEC. 1403. UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARD PANAMA

(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress makes the following findings: (1) The executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the Government of Panama are now under the influence and control of the Panamanian Defense Forces. (2) A broad coalition of church, business, labor, civic, and political groups in Panama has called for an objective and thorough investigation of allegations concerning serious violations of law by certain officials of the Government of Panama and the Panamanian Defense Forces and has insisted that General Noriega and others involved relinquish their official General Noriega. positions until such an investigation has been completed. (3) The Panamanian people continue to be denied the full Human rights. rights and protections guaranteed by their constitution, as evidenced by continuing censorship and the closure of the independent media, arrests without due process, and instances of the use of excessive force by the Panamanian Defense Forces. (4) Political unrest and social turmoil in Panama can only be resolved if the Government of Panama begins to demonstrate respect for and adherence to all provisions of the Panamanian constitution. Qi) PoucY.—Therefore, it is the sense of Congress that, subject to the condition expressed in subsection (c), the United States should take the following actions:

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