Kerry Senate committee on foreign relations hearings on Noriega and drug smuggling : day 1 / recorded by Larry Bensky ; produced by Bill Wax.

Live coverage of the Senate hearings into the role of drug smuggling in Noriega’s rule in Panama, and the actions of the United States in Panama.
|r.1. Summary of the previous Kerry hearings which focussed upon Noriega / Larry Bensky (28:00) ; Interview with Peter Dale Scott on narco-terrorism / interviewed by Larry Bensky (15:00) ; Interview with Peter Kornbluth of the National Security Archives on committee member relations / interviewed by Larry Bensky (4:40) ; Opening comments by chair of the hearings, Senator John F. Kerry (1:20) — r.2. Opening comments by Senator Kerry (10:00) ; Senator Alfonz D’Amato statement (9:00) ; Jose Blandon’s opening statement (8:20) ; Jose Blandon questioned by D’Amato and Kerry on U.S. policy since previous hearings (9:20) ; D’Amato statement (14:20) ; Continued U.S.-Noriega relations (6:40) ; Potential reaction of Panamanians if Noriega stays in power (3:00) ; Mediline Cartel (5:40) — r.3. Questioning of Jose Blandon, continued. Noriega supplying arms to Central America (3:00) ; Drug smuggling in Honuras (6:00) ; Contra resupply and drugs (5:15) ; Noriega and Japan (2:05) ; Recess, Bensky summary (12:20) ; D’Amato statement (4:50) ; Kerry statement on method of testimony (4:50) ; Panamanian Ambassador to the U.S. verifies Noriega letter (1:10) ; Blandon continues. Noriega’s Japanese connection (10:30) ; Laundering monies, the Cartel, and Ramon Rodriguez (10:30) ; Desire of Mediline Cartel to get rid of Noriega (5:00) — r.4. Jose Blandon testimony, conclusion. The Mediline Cartel in Panama (3:40) ; D’Amato statement on leaking information (2:20) ; Kerry statement on lack of debriefing of Blandon by U.S. officials (2:10) ; Closing Blandon statement (9:50) ; Testimony of ambassador Francis McNeil. Background and experience (6:00) ; Mediline Cartel and U.S. policy (3:40) ; U.S. Noriega policy (13:35) ; North and Casey in Central America (4:05) ; McNeils evaluation of mixed signals by U.S. to Central America (1:10) ; Lunch recess — r.5. Larry Bensky summarizes morning testimony (6:00) ; Interview with journalist Martin Lee / Larry Bensky (13:00) ; Recap of morning testimony / Larry Bensky (6:45) ; Ambassador Francis McNeal’s testimony continued. Noriega, Nicaragua and U.S. foreign policy (11:00) ; General Buesso Rosa’s attempted assassination of Honduran President (17:30) ; D’Amato statement (4:30) ; Rosa Story continued (3:45) ; Kerry reads sections of Mark Richard’s testimony about Abrams’ role with Ross (1:15) — r.6. Francis McNeal testimony, conclusion. Bueso Rosa and the State Department (1:00) ; The Triangle trade in Central America (9:00) ; Meeting John Hull (2:00) ; McNeil’s actions in finding drug traffickers (7:00) ; The Nicaraguan sting and Barry Seal (4:00) ; D’Amato statement (6:35) ; Kerry summary of hearings (3:45) ; Close of the day’s session / Larry Bensky (2:20) ; Jane Hunter on the Israeli “cut-out” in Panama / interviewed by Larry Bensky (5:10) ; Mattison on the hearings / interviewed by Larry Bensky (10:30) ; Robert Knight on Jose Blandon / interviewed by Larry Bensky (6:00).