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 I have been against the pullout from Korea, I have been for a strong defense and in particular the B-i bomber, I have expressed my fullest support for our friends in the Mediterranean and in particular our most important commitment in Israel. Commitment is a crucial word to me and I feel that five American Presidents have been committed to improvingy our relationship with the Republic of Panama, one of our best friends in Latin America. To cooperate with a friend and to honor a commitment is in no way retreat. It is the most direct sign a nation can give of its greatness.
 Our greatness is not diminished by signing a treaty with Panama. It is enhanced by the demonstration of our moral will to deal fairly with even the smallest of countries.

 The Future
 During the course of the debate, we have all been asked to speculate about the future. I believe that after the extensive hearings before the Foreign Relations Committee and the investigations of the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees on which I sit, we have the best information before us. On the basis of that information, we are asked to cast our gaze toward the future. Senators on both sides of this issue have expressed their sincere concern for the possible repercussion of these treaties. Thousands of my constituents have addressed their fears and uneasiness about these new arrangements to me while others have expressed their great hope for the f uture. There has been a great outpouring of concern by the American people on this issue. Speculating about the f uture is always difficult. e
 I guess that I am an optimist. I believe that the future can best be served by the new treaties and the arrangements contained in them.
 For the f uture, I believe we can see three possible benefits with Panama, there should be improved relations, a better guarantee that the canal will remain open and more stability for Panamanian politics. In Latin America, I believe we will see improvement in our relations with many states. Some will continue to be antagonistic, but -for our friends this action will be a strong tool for them to resist Communist pressures within their own governments. In the world, I believe we will acquire the image of a great and moral country, one which practices what it preaches. To the small countries of Latin America, Asia, and Africa, we will stand as an alternate world to do the neocolonialism of the Soviet Union-a friend with whom one can work f reely, not as a shackled slave.
 We can always expect the worst an-d often we are not disappointed. On the whole, I believe that this body has taken into account as many possibilities as it humanly possible. At some point, with the debate as extensive as it is, the issue becomes a m-atter for the exercise of judgment, discretion, and experience. For myself, I believe that the future will be better served by the new treaties. These treaties are no panacea. Treaties are only as good as the commitments made to them. I would caution against to much optimism or too much pessimism. We need a realistic view of the future and of what we can achieve.