ABSTRACT
The delegation of treaty responsibilities has always been the source of controversy, and subject to interpretation. The congressional assertiveness since the Vietnam War that has changed the overall relationship between the executive and legislative branches has also effected treaty-making. The original 1903 Panama Canal Treaty had long been considered inadequate in the context of United States-Panamanian relations. The Panamanian "flag riots" of 1964 resulted in a temporary break in relations between the US and Panama. Under a separate treaty, the US would have the right to insure the neutrality of the canal from any threat for an indefinite period. The final stage of the Administration's pre-debate strategy was an all-out effort to garner the greatest momentum possible going into the Senate floor debate. As far as the White House was concerned, the key actor in building support for the treaties in the Senate would ultimately have to be Senator Byrd.
