556


 In testimony whereof, I have signed this instrumi-ent of ratification and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
 Done at the city of Washington, this 15th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred seventy-eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred second.
 By the President:
 JIMMY CARTER.
 Acting Secretary of State:
 WARREN CHRISTOPHIER.


 PANAMANIAN INSTRUMVENT-NEUTRALTY TREATY
 Whereas the Treaty Cnenn the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal was signed in Washington on S;eptember 7, 1977, by the authorized representatives of the Government of the Republic of Panama and of the Government of the United States of America;
 Whereas the Republic of Parnaa by means of the plebiscite stipulated by Article 274 of its Political Constitution, ratified the aforementioned Neutrality Treaty;
 Whereas the Senate of the United States of America gave its advice and consent to the ratification of the aforementioned Neutrality Treaty -with the following understandings, reservations, conditions, and amendments:
 (a) Amendments:
 (1) At the end of Article IV, insert the following:
 "A correct and authoritative statement of certain rights and
 duties of the Parties under the foregoing is contained in the Statement of Understanding9 issued by the Government of the United States of America on October 14, 1977, and by the Governmnent of the Republic of Panama on October 18, 1977, which is hereby incorporated as an integral part of this Treaty, as follows:
 "'Under the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and
 Operation of the Panama Canal (the Neutrality Treaty), Panama and the United States have the responsibility to assure that the Panama Canal will remain open and secure to ships of all nations.
 The correct interpretation of this principle is th at each of the two countries shall, in accordance with their respective constitutional processes, defend the Canal against any threat to the regime of neutrality, and consequently shall have the right to act against any aggression or threat directed against the Canal or against the
 peaceful transit of vessels through the Canal.
 "'This does not mean, nor shall it be interpreted as, a right of
 intervention of the United States in the internal affairs of Panama. Any United States action will be directed at insuring that the Canal will remain open, secure, and accessible, and it shall never be directed against the territorial integrity or political independence of Panrama.' "
 (2) At the end of the first paragraph of Article VI, insert the
 -following: