MARTÍN TORRIJOS SWORN IN AS NEW PRESIDENT OF PANAMA
• Qualifies Moscoso’s pardon of four anti-Cuban terrorists as regrettable

PANAMA CITY, September 1.— Martín Torrijos, aged 41, was sworn in today as the new president of Panama for a five-year mandate, in a ceremony attended by 10 foreign leaders and the Princes of Asturias, EFE reports.

Colin Powell, secretary of state, represented the United States.

The presidential sash was placed on Torrijos by Jerry Wilson, the new president of the National Assembly who, in his turn, had been elected a few hours earlier.

The investiture of Torrijos, Samuel Lewis Navarro as first vice president and Rubén Arosemena as second vice president began with the installation of the 77-member Legislative Assembly and the election of a joint executive of that body.

In his acceptance speech, transmitted by CNN, in reference to the external situation, Torrijos mentioned the scandalous and unjustifiable pardon granted to the four terrorists of Cuban origin by president Moscoso:

"Last week, we Panamanians observed with shock how the government of Panama decided to grant a presidential pardon to four persons of Cuban origin, who were tried by the courts and whose sentences were under appeal.

"That highly regrettable pardon ended the legal process and covered the accused with a mantle of impunity that is most disappointing for the justice system and for all persons of conscience who condemn the threat of terrorism."

He added:

"I would never have utilized that presidential prerogative to interrupt the definitive declaration of the judicial body in such a significant case.

"For me, there are not two classes of terrorism: one that is condemned and one that is pardoned. Terrorism has to be fought whatever its origin."

And he ended by affirming:

"There are no excuses, there is no way of justifying this act with declarations that are offensive to other countries.