The ceremony was rich with symbolism, but the circumstances were awkward, to say the least. Shortly after U.S. troops began to move, a new government was inaugurated with the aim of restoring democracy in Panama. The swearing-in took place at Fort Clayton, a U.S. military base, with only a few Panamanians present. After the new President, Guillermo Endara, and his two Vice Presidents, Guillermo Ford and Ricardo Arias Calderon, took their oath of office, they remained at the base for 36 hours.
Endara's first words to his countrymen on Wednesday were broadcast not by Panamanian radio, which was still controlled by...