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 the treaties wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell of securing
 the [presidential] nomination."
January 11-Secretary Vance began the administration's campaign
 to win popular support for the treaties with an appearance in Charleston, West Virginia, where he told his audience that the proposed pacts would enhance U.S. military and commercial interests.
 The Secretary of State scheduled similar appearances in Louisville, N ew Orleans and Los Angeles. The Washington Post said that each of his stops -was in the home state of a senator considered wavering or uncommitted on the treaties. The New York Times reported that Secretary Vance was appealing to 'members of the Senate not to try to amend the treaties, but only to attach "understandings" or interpretations if they felt compelled to alter the accords.
January 13-Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd announced that hie
 would vote for and actively promote ratification of the Panama Canal treaties. Byrd also said he would work to add language to the pacts to clarify the U.S. right to defend the canal militarily after the year 2000, and the right of U.S. military vessels to go to the'
 head of the li ne in times of emergency.
January 15-William F. Buckley and Ronald Reagan, with advisers
 on both sides, debated the Panama Canal treaties. Bucley maintained that the United States would be better off economically, militarily and spiritually as a result of the treaties. Reagan contended that the treaties are not in the best interest of the United States or Panama and that they -were ambiguous and fatally flawed. This debate,, moderated by former Senator Sam Erv ,in, in North Carolina, -was aired on several public television stations.
January 16-Senator Minority Leader Baker advised President Carter
 of his willingness to support the Panama Canal treaties, provided amendments were attached guaranteeing U.S. rights to defend the canal after the year 2000. Baker said he wanted a packcagre of amendments "to incorporate the Ian,( uage of thie memorandum" issued by
 President Carter and General Torrij os in October.
January 16-The Supreme Court refused to consider a challenge to
 the Panama Canal treaties brought by four states and five, congressmen. The plaintiff s had argued that the Constitution require ed the aTpproval of both houses of Congress before the Government could
 dispose of federal property.
January 16-The so-called "truth souad," composed of Congressmen
 and retired military men opposed to the Panama Canal treaties, embarked on a tour of several U.S. cities to drum lip support for complete U.S. control" of the Panama Canal f or the indefinite
 future. Senator Laxalt led the grour-).
January 16 an(l 17-From the Oval Office, President Carter held telephone question and answer sessions with participants in town hall meetings in Mississippi and New Mexico during which he responded
 to sever,,)]qiiestions on the Panama Canal treaties.
January 17-Senator Allen, appearing before the House Merchant
 Marine and F isheries Committee, said "no amount of Band Aid amendments can correct the f aults embodied in -any plan that gives
 control of the canal to Panama at any time."~
January 18-Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos told a visiting Senate
 Foreign Relations Committee delegation that he would be willing to