By contrast, you made but three references to casualties inflicted on Panamanian civilians.

But there is no evidence of concern for Panamanian civilians in President Bush's reckoning or in the operational decisions of our military leaders.

Around 200 Panamanian civilians were reported killed.

Some Panamanian civilians say that as happy as they are to be rid of General Noriega, they feel pity for the man.

But he returned several times to the potential for casualities among American soldiers and Panamanian civilians in an operation that would be concentrated in densely populated urban areas.

Administration officials estimate that about 300 Panamanian troops and 400 Panamanian civilians were killed in the fighting.

The count of Panamanian civilians killed or injured in the invasion has not yet been officially determined.

By releasing them, the Pentagon could clear the air of some lingering concerns about the number of Panamanian civilians killed and the causes of injury and death to Americans during the invasion.

A United Methodist Church mission led by a former U.S. Senator, Donald Stewart, reported that surviving Panamanian civilians were hired to fill mass graves at $6 per body.

Americans may believe them, but not Panamanian civilians who may be beaten again by these guardians of freedom.