Thus, while Americans may have understood the vote as merely a treaty ratification, the official added, the Panamanians saw it as "a referendum on drugs."

If negotiations are dragged out, the American debate over treaty ratification could be caught up in Presidential politics next year.

The deal was finalized on January 17, 1917, when the United States and Denmark exchanged their respective treaty ratifications.

"If the Democratic leadership is erecting a roadblock to the treaty ratification, it comes as a surprise," the White House official said.

A referendum can be called by the President for constitutional changes, treaty ratification, laws concerning the administration or the territory.

Any such effort may be unconstitutional, because in effect it would involve the House in treaty ratification - a Senate prerogative.

The United States chemical industry helped negotiate the inspection and paperwork rules for commercial companies and strongly supports treaty ratification.

He wanted a unified policy among isolationists and internationalists on treaty ratification and the proposed world peace organization.

The details are also important for political reasons because verification is certain to be a major issue during the Senate debate over treaty ratification.

Patricia Derian recalls that even after the treaty ratification there was opposition to pressing Torrijos.