11.   Panamanian officials call it nonsense.

12.   Panamanian officials could not immediately be reached.

13.   Panamanian officials have pledged to help, and have begun by asking U.S. law enforcement agencies for assistance.

14.   Panamanian officials said they would welcome foreign assistance, but they also do not want to re-establish their own army nor do they want a return of foreign troops.

15.   Panamanian officials point out that the firm, Hutchison Whampoa Ltd., is one of the biggest shipping companies in the world and won a competitive bid.

16.   Panamanian officials predict that the handover of the canal will be routine.

17.   Panamanian officials pushed up the ceremony to avoid conflicts with millennium events.

18.   Panamanian officials said Wednesday evening that Cedras was expected to arrive later.

19.   Panamanian officials were told Thursday of the change.

20.   The cleanup operation here may be proving more costly and time-consuming than initially expected, Panamanian officials maintain, but that does not exempt Washington from its treaty obligations.