Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jan 1999 Source: United Press International Copyright: 1999 United Press International USAF TO LEAVE PANAMA BASE IN MAY WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 (UPI) - The Pentagon confirms (Wednesday) the Air Force will move its last remaining aircraft from Howard Air Force Base near Panama City, Panama, to McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., May 1. The aircraft, used mainly for anti-drug surveillance flights, are the last U.S. military planes at the Panamanian air base. The Pentagon confirmed the move today. The shift became inevitable when talks between Panama and the United States aimed at keeping some U. S. troops and aircraft at the base broke down in September. The United States had proposed keeping about 2,000 troops at Howard where, working with a multi-national force, they would have continued what the Pentagon says have been highly effective anti-drug surveillance efforts in the region. But Panamanian officials said they would only allow U.S. forces to remain at the base four years and would then consider whether to allow them to stay longer. That was unacceptable to Washington and the 2-year-long talks broke off abruptly. The United States is set to relinquish full control over the Panama Canal to Panama on Dec. 31. Under terms of the 1977 treaty signed by former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Omar Torrijos, all U.S. troops will leave as of that date. Pentagon officials have said they are concerned that the end of U.S. surveillance flights from Panama will lead to an increase in the flow of drugs from South America to the United States. While the Air Force will continue making surveillance flights from McDill, they may not be as effective as the flights from Howard because of the greater distances that the aircraft have to travel before they reach known drug trafficking routes. All rights reserved. - --- MAP posted-by: Patrick Henry