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anyone saying they are obstructionist. They say it is a positive step forward.
 The leadership has embraced the amendments. They now claimthem to be their own. That is fine. That is the prerogative of the leadership. And the Senator from Kansas may want to cosponsor his amendments at the appropriate time.
 But I think there has been proof demonstrated, by the f act that the leadership is embracing these amendments, that they know the treaties were vague and they knew the treaties were au-lbiguous. They knew the political dangers in ratifying the treaties liii their original form. They told the President so very candidly. They told the American people. Now they are telling us..
 Suggest to my. distinguished friends, the majority leader and minority leader, that we share their responsibility. We share their concern. XWe hope that when we off er amendments, they will share our concern and they will share our responsibility, and they will understand that we offer the amendmnent~s in good faith, just as they offer amendments Nos. 290 and 21 in good faith.
 This Senator has a feeling that there is going to be a big effort around here to get amendments Nos. 20 and 21 adopted and then claim victory and say it is all over. The Senator from Kansas, does not believe that should happen. There is no doubt in my mind that amendments Nos. 20 and 21 will pass. IBt if we proceed as we should, by first considering, the Panama Canal Treaty and trying to make improvements in the Panama Canal Treaty before we get to the second treaty concerning the permanent neutrality and operation of the Panama Canal, then I think we can end this debate with a great deal of harmony.
 Perhaps at that point, there will be sufficent votes for passage of the treaties. If not, if there is an effort to beat. down every amendment, or to adopt amendments TN-,os. 20 and 21 and say, this is it-these are the big, ones, this clarifies the treaty, this is all we need-then I would suggest that the final vote is too close to call.
 It seems to this Senator that there should be no fear of renegotiation. There should be no fear of upsetting General Torrijos. We should not concern ourselves with whether or not this is a plus or a minus for this administration or the former administration. We oughrt to concern ourselves with our responsibilities. I am certain we will. One of our responsibilities is to make certain that we have not overlooked something.
 I commend the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. They have worked hard. They heard many, many witnesses, as did the Committee on Armed Services. And I guess, after hearings all the witnesses and after knowing about amendments 20 and 21, the great majority decided that the treaties were no longer flawed. But this Senator does not 'buy that. We want to make certain these are the best possible treaties that can pass this body.
 Mr. President, the Senator from Kansas will pledge his efforts to be constructive, to keep the debate at the highest l evel, to offr respo'nsible amendments; and then hope that my colleagues, who may be wavering or may have ideas of their own, will be able to support those amendments.
 I yield the floor.