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contract that Panama awarded to Hutchinson Whampoa Ltd. - one of the world's largest shipping and port compa- nies located in China. The contract calls for the organization to operate the two facilities situated at the canal's Atlantic and Pacific entrances. Some have even speculated that the company, which is based in Hong Kong, is linked to the Chinese military. President Moscoso disagrees however, assuring that the "canal will never be in Chinese hands and that there is no Chinese threat to the ports." Despite any discord or speculation, the canal will still be handed back to the Republic whose soil it is built on. At 12 Noon on the eve of the new millennium, a historical event will occur - an event that seemed years away on that day in 1977 that changed the fate of the canal forever. All the boats in the Whitbread Around the World Race 1997/98 have chosen Inmarsat terminals from Nera to keep in touch with the rest of the world du- ring this extremely tough regatta. Nera's well-tested Saturn B and Saturn C terminals ensure the participants standard phone connecti- ons, fax, e-mail and video recording transmission. By the end of 1997 Nera had delivered nearly 2 000 B Marine ter- minals, which represents a market share of more than 40 percent Nera Satcom AS P.O. Box 91, N-1375 Biliingstad, Norway Tel: +47 67 24 47 00, Fax: +47 67 24 46 21 Homepage: http://www.nera.no During the autumn of 1997, Nera introduced a new satellite station which is well suited for small crafts and pleasure boats, but also ideal as relief or back-up for larger commerci- al vessels or passenger ships. The Nera WorldPhone Marine is small, light, easy to use and install, and abo- ve all, affordable. All Nera Inmarsat terminals are at the cutting edge of operational safety and connection quality. Nera are the world's leading supplier of Inmarsat stations, with a worldwide service network of subsi- diaries and agents. OFFICIAL SUPPLIER OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT NERR TELECOMMUNICATIONS Circle 257 on Reader Service Card 20 Changing the way you communicate Canal Transition Milestones 1970s September 7, 1977 - Signing of the Panama Canal Treaty (Torrijos-Carter Treaty) between the Republic of Panama and the U.S. This agree- ment establishes a regime of neutrality guaran- teeing that the Canal remains open, safe, neutral and accessible to vessels from all over the world. September 30, 1979 - The canal's final day of operation under the Panama Canal Company and the Canal Zone Government, as per the treaty signed two years earlier. October 1, 1979 - The Panama Canal Treaty is entered into force, granting Panama jurisdiction over the former Canal Zone. The Panama Canal Commission, a new agency of the U.S. Govern- ment, is now responsible for managing, operating and maintaining the Canal through December 31, 1999. 1980s June 11,1980 - Established under the Treaty, the Coordinating Committee holds its first binatorial meeting in Panama City March 31, 1982 - Marked the end of the 30- month transition period. The Panama Canal Commission's transitory police force and magis- trate's court, in addition to the U.S. District Court disbanded on this day. September 30, 1989 - A long-term project to revamp 50,000 ft. of towing locomotive track at the locks - including water and landslide rails, rack selections and conductor slots is finished. 1990s December 25, 1993 - The Panama Legislative Assembly approves the first legislature of the Constitutional Title on the Canal. December 1994 - Adding nine additional articles guaranteeing that the Canal authority would have both administrative and financial autonomy, the Legislative Committee approves the second leg- islature of the Constitutional Title. February 1996 - President Clinton signs Public Law 104-106 - The Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1996, which converted the Panama Canal Commission to a wholly owned U.S. gov- ernment operation. August 18, 1996 - Alberto Aleman Zubieta is sworn in as the second Panamanian Administra- tor of the Panama Canal Commission. October 9, 1996 - The proposed bill regulating the Panama Canal Authority - the agency that will operate the canal upon its transfer - is pre- sented to Panama President Ernesto Perez Bal- ladares. July 17, 1998 - The first Board of Directors meeting between the Panama Canal Commission and the Panama Canal Authority occurs. September 3, 1998 - Administrator Zubieta is sworn in as the first Administrator of the Panama Canal Authority - serving in both positions until the December 31 transition. March 24, 1999 - The Cabinet Council of Pana- ma approves the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) toll rates, which in essence, remain the same. December 31, 1999 - The U.S. hands over The Canal to Panama at 12 Noon per the Torrijos- Carter Treaty. Source: Panama Canal Commission Tomorrow's satellite telephone is here now!
