パナマ大統領、トランプ氏と「話すことはない」 中国の干渉疑惑も否定

【パナマ市ＡＦＰ＝時事】米国のドナルド・トランプ次期大統領が太平洋と大西洋を結ぶ交通の要衝「パナマ運河」の管理権返還を求めるとの脅しを強めていることを受け、中米パナマのホセ・ラウル・ムリノ大統領は２６日、トランプ氏との交渉の可能性を排除するとともに、同運河の運営に中国が干渉しているとの主張も否定した。また、パナマ運河での米国の船舶に対する通航料を引き下げる可能性もないとした。（写真はパナマ運河のミラフローレス閘門〈こうもん〉を通過する貨物船）
　ムリノ氏は記者会見で「（トランプ氏と）話すことは一切ない」「運河はパナマ国のものであり、パナマ国民のものだ。この国の血と汗と涙の結晶であるこの現実について、いかなる話し合いを始める可能性もない」と述べた。
　１９１４年に開通したパナマ運河は米国によって建設されたが、１９７７年に当時のジミー・カーター米大統領とパナマの民族主義指導者オマル・トリホス将軍の間で締結された条約に基づき、１９９９年１２月３１日にパナマに引き渡された。
　ムリノ氏はパナマ運河の通行料について「大統領や運河担当省の気まぐれで決められたものではなく」、長年にわたって確立された「公開かつ透明なプロセス」に基づいて設定されていると説明。
　「パナマ運河に関するいかなる事柄にも、中国が干渉したり参加したりすることは絶対にない」と断言した。
　トランプ氏は２５日、自身のＳＮＳ「トゥルース・ソーシャル」で、中国軍が「愛情を込めて、しかし違法にパナマ運河を運営している」と主張したが、根拠を示していない。
　ムリノ氏はこの主張も否定。「運河に中国兵は一人もいない。いい加減にしてほしい」と述べた。
　パナマは２０１７年、台湾と断交して中国と国交を樹立。この動きを第１次トランプ政権は批判していた。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2024/12/27-18:35）

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Thursday ruled out negotiations with US President-elect Donald Trump over control of the Panama Canal, denying that China was interfering in its operation.
Mulino also rejected the possibility of reducing tolls for US vessels in response to Trump's threat to demand control of the vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans be returned to Washington.
There's nothing to talk about, Mulino told a press conference.
The canal is Panamanian and belongs to Panamanians. There's no possibility of opening any kind of conversation around this reality, which has cost the country blood, sweat and tears, he added.
The canal, inaugurated in 1914, was built by the United States but handed to Panama on December 31, 1999, under treaties signed some two decades earlier by then-US president Jimmy Carter and Panamanian nationalist leader Omar Torrijos.
Trump on Saturday slammed what he called ridiculous fees for US ships passing through the canal and hinted at China's growing influence.
It was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!
If Panama could not ensure the secure, efficient and reliable operation of the channel, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question, he said.
- 'No Chinese interference' -
An estimated five percent of global maritime traffic passes through the Panama Canal, which allows ships traveling between Asia and the US East Coast to avoid the long, hazardous route around the southern tip of South America.
The United States is its main user, accounting for 74 percent of cargo, followed by China with 21 percent.
Mulino said the canal's usage fees were not set at the whim of the president or the administrator of the interoceanic waterway, but under a long-established public and open process.
There is absolutely no Chinese interference or participation in anything to do with the Panama Canal, Mulino said.
On Wednesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social alleged, without evidence, that Chinese soldiers were lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal.
Mulino denied that allegation, too.
There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal, for the love of God, he added.
Panama established diplomatic relations with China in 2017, after breaking off ties with Taiwan -- a decision criticized by Trump's first administration.
On Tuesday, dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the US embassy in Panama City chanting Trump, animal, leave the canal alone and burning an image of the incoming US president.