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Title: America's Prisoner: : The Memoirs of Manuel Noriega by Peter Eisner ISBN: 0-679-43227-2 Publisher: Acacia Press, Inc. Pub. Date: 11 March, 1997 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (10 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Superficial and self serving
Comment: This book is of interest because it tells another side of the story of Panama in the 80's. There's a lot of interesting information here. But while I find it almost unavoidable to conclude that American intervention in Panama was guided as much by political expediency and diplomatic incompetence as it was by noble ideals, that doesn't imply Noriega was clean. Sure, Bush, Cheney, Oliver North, Eliot Abrams, etc. were all crooked politicians. But Noriega's portrayal as himself as simply a Panamanian patriot who was destroyed by the USA for standing up to them doesn't hold water. Many controversial aspects of Noriega's reign are not mentioned (Noriega's superstition or alcohol abuse), glossed over (Spadafora killing) or implausibly denied (the fate of the Giroldi coup plotters). He very seldom admits mistakes and even then only half-heartedly ("We should have just cancelled the elections outright instead of waiting until the results were in to anull them") and never shows a trace of regret. The subject of democracy seldom comes up; all opposition to Noriega is characterized simply as the white power elite ("rabiblancos") and their status as pawns of the USA.
In short, the book is disappointing as it appears Noriega has not used his time in jail for serious, thoughtful introspection and analysis. It's not a truthful confession, or even an intersting autobiography; it's basically a defensive essay on the American invasion of 1989. Still it's worth reading as no doubt some of his accusations against the "wimp" Bush bear examination.
Rating: 5
Summary: Lessons about U.S. imperialism
Comment: "The Memoirs of Manuel Noriega: America's Prisoner" by Manuel Noriega with commentary and analysis by Peter Eisner is an important story. It holds lessons about U.S. imperialism and the demonization of its supposed enemies -- lessons that, unfortunately, appear to have been largely overlooked by the American public. Indeed, the template for the exercise of U.S. power by the elder Bush against Noriega in Panama as described in this book seems to have been knowingly employed by the younger Bush against Saddam in Iraq.
Given the demonization of Noriega in the U.S. media, one may be surprised but nonetheless impressed with Noriega's personal values as they are expressed in this book. Noriega's support of policies that began with the Torrijos administration on raising living standards among the nation's poor seems to be sincere; no doubt this is connected with his Catholic faith and his familiarity with the Bible, which is quoted in several places in the book. Noriega also writes fondly about his career in the Panamanian military and the honor, discipline and professionalism associated with this career and the duties he performed on behalf of his country. Overall, while Noriega does not appear to be a saint he does seem to be a healthy, balanced and moral person.
I think that Noriega's contention that he became a marked man due to his insistence on Panamanian soveriegnty is credible. To his credit, Noriega never bought into Cold War ideology, choosing instead to provide safe haven for political refugees of all stripes and to open up channels of communication with Fidel Castro and others. Yet despite years of friendly relations with the U.S. and cooperation with the CIA, his decision to open talks with the Japanese about a new canal combined with his refusal to cooperate with Ollie North's illegal "contra" war in Nicaragua proved to be too much for the White House.
If Noriega ever did commit a crime that could possibly justify a full-scale invasion, it is also true that the drug conviction against him is highly suspect. The chapters that discuss the dirty dealings with Colombian drug cartels in securing the conviction is very disturbing. On the other hand, the fact that drug shipments increased in the absence of Noriega provides credence to the author's contention that the Panamanian Defense Forces cooperated in the war on drugs during Noriega's tenure.
Last but certainly not least, the horrible consequences of the war on the innocent Panamanian people are discussed. Clearly, it was unneccesary to use such overwhelming force against a peaceful country in the midst of its Christmas celebrations. Noriega's blistering comments about the leading protagonists of the war -- including Colin Powell and George Bush Sr. -- may cause consternation among some Americans; but on balance the General's narrative is remarkably restrained. Indeed, the book is a cautionary tale of powerlessness and how a small nation and its leaders have few options available once regime change has been deemed desirable by the U.S. government. The sad part, of course, is that thousands of innocent civilians had to pay for these policies with their lives (not to mention the countless others who have been left with the shattered remains of their bombed-out communities).
In my view, recent events in Iraq, Venezuela, Colombia and elsewhere makes it more important than ever for Americans to gain greater perspective on the consequences of U.S. foreign policy. To that end, "America's Prisoner" is a superbly readable, provocative and informative book that deserves a wide audience. I highly recommend it to all.
Rating: 5
Summary: Manuel Noriega Memoirs.....Must read.......
Comment: Noriega's memoirs are worth the read. Whether one agrees or disagrees is a matter of debate and argument. What the authors do is present their side of the story. There is an old legal saying, "how can you know your position, if you don't know your opponent's?"
I did not buy the book to agree or disagree with Noriega or Eisner. I bought the book to understand their positions, thoughts, ideas, and what they had to contribute to the U.S.-Panama situation.
What I find disturbing about the whole ordeal, the U.S. invasion of Panama, is how the U.S. on November 3, 1903 helped Panama get its independence, set up U.S. military bases in Panama for less than 100 years, enlist a military leader, Noriega, trained him, had him on the CIA payroll for about 30 years, intervene in Panama's internal affairs since Panama nation-state inception, and finally overthrow Noriega and install its own puppet government and call it democracy.
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Title: Our Man in Panama : How General Noriega Used the United States- And Made Millions in Drugs and Arms by John Dinges ISBN: 0394549104 Publisher: Random House Pub. Date: 24 February, 1990 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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Title: Panama by Kevin Buckley ISBN: 0671778765 Publisher: Touchstone Books Pub. Date: 15 August, 1992 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: In the Time of Tyrants: Panama: 1968-1990 by Richard M. Koster, Guillermo Sanchez ISBN: 0393308448 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: October, 1991 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush by Kevin Phillips ISBN: 0670032646 Publisher: Viking Press Pub. Date: 01 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: Divorcing the Dictator: America's Bungled Affair With Noriega by Frederick Kempe ISBN: 0399135170 Publisher: Putnam Pub Group Pub. Date: March, 1990 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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