(2 of 4)
"Noriega probably knows more about what is in our CIA files than anyone in the Justice Department," says Richard Gregorie, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, who drew up the Miami indictment against the general. "He knows what to ask for." The asking is likely to begin early in a pretrial process that could go on for a year or more. Only documents that relate directly to the drug charges can be introduced into court, so much of the most provocative material concerning Noriega's services to the CIA may be beyond the reach of his attorneys. But if the government refuses to turn over files that Federal % District Judge William M. Hoeveler deems essential, that could result in a mistrial or the dismissal of some charges. Some Washington insiders doubt that the trial will result in embarrassing disclosures. "There isn't anything there," says Elliott Abrams, former Assistant Secretary of State for Inter- American Affairs. "It's a bugaboo." Other intelligence experts disagree. According to a former CIA official quoted by the New York Times, Noriega "can make us look terribly meddlesome. He can expose a lot of activities, people and places. At a minimum, it will be embarrassing and difficult. This sort of case is bad enough when there's nothing there. It's doubly bad if, as in this case, there is."
Last week former prosecutor Gregorie said that when his office asked to review classified information that might pertain to the case, standard procedure in investigations that might require the airing of Government secrets, the request was denied. "None of the prosecutors working on the case were allowed to see the CIA files," he claimed.
For now at least, the troubles are all in Noriega's corner. The twelve-count racketeering indictment alleges that between 1981 and 1986 Noriega received payments of more than $4.6 million from Colombia's Medellin cartel. Prosecutors claim that in return he permitted the drug lords to use Panama as a refining and transshipment point for cocaine and as a sanctuary for themselves while the profits were laundered in Panamanian banks and false- front companies, usually with a suitable cut for the general.
Fifteen other Panamanians, Colombians and Americans are named in the indictment. Four are in custody (another is out on bail), including two Panamanians -- Lieut. Colonel Luis del Cid and Daniel Miranda, a Noriega pilot -- who were captured by American troops during the invasion and brought to the U.S. Prosecutors will probably offer to reduce or dismiss charges against Del Cid and Miranda if they agree to testify against their former chief.
Noriega faces a second indictment in a Tampa court charging that he took a bribe from a trafficker who was importing more than 1.4 million lbs. of marijuana into the U.S. If he manages to beat the rap in both American jurisdictions, he may face more serious trouble in Panama. The country's new leaders say they hope to bring him to account on charges that could include the torture and killing of political opponents. "He will be tried for these things," vowed Panamanian Vice President Guillermo Ford, adding briskly, "Not lynching -- due process."