OAS Decries U.S. Entry Into Home of Nicaragua Envoy

WASHINGTON —  The Organization of American States declared in a resolution Monday night that the entry by U.S. troops into the Nicaraguan ambassador’s residence in Panama was a violation of international laws ensuring the immunity of diplomatic missions.

The vote was 19-0, with six countries joining the United States in abstaining.

U.S. Ambassador Luigi Einaudi acknowledged that the U.S. soldiers had made a mistake, asserting that they had entered the building during a search for weapons without knowing it was the ambassador’s residence.

Einaudi said he did not oppose the resolution because the United States fully supports the laws that spell out the inviolability of diplomatic missions.

The initial resolution was introduced to the OAS permanent council by Nicaragua but then was toned down somewhat during 3 1/2 hours of debate, some of which took place behind closed doors.

The incident occurred Dec. 29 as part of U.S. efforts to restore order in Panama after the invasion that ousted the government of Gen. Manuel A. Noriega.

The day after the incident, President Bush called it a “screw-up” but criticized the Nicaraguan ambassador for having “automatic weapons up to his eyeballs” in the house. There were 12 AK-47 rifles, among other weapons, in the residence.