Vice President George Bush, playing to a hawkish Southern audience, Friday defended the United States’ right to use any tactics, including military force, to protect U.S. interests in troubled Panama.

Bush came out of the blocks at his first stop here with a message of firm support for democracy in the Canal Zone and repeated it later in Atlanta.

“We have a treaty and we have vital interests there and we’re not going to be pushed around about the defense of the Panama Canal,” Bush told the South Carolina Press Assn.

“We will do whatever we need to do to protect the canal and make sure that our military personnel and their families remain safe and unharmed.”


Military Aids Noriega

Bush was referring to the turmoil in Panama after the attempt by President Eric A. Delvalle to oust controversial military strongman Manuel A. Noriega from his post as commander of the nation’s Defense Forces. The Panamanian military rallied around Noriega, who has been indicted in the United States on drug-running charges, and confined Delvalle to his home.

The Panamanian National Assembly voted to replace Delvalle with Manuel Solis Palma, minister of education and considered to be a Noriega confidant. Delvalle and the Reagan Administration consider Delvalle’s ouster invalid.

Asked to define what steps he considered appropriate, Bush said: ‘We would obviously . . . reserve the right to do whatever is necessary, including military force, to protect Americans’ sacred interests in that part of the world.”


The accent on Panama, besides underscoring Bush’s proximity to the White House and his foreign policy experience, gave the vice president an above-the-fray issue on which to focus his day.

Tailored for South

Combined with his increased emphasis on the need for a pumped-up intelligence capability, the message seemed tailored for voters in the South, an area traditionally supportive of a strong defense.

New York Rep. Jack Kemp, also campaigning in South Carolina, said the United States should not rule out military force in removing Noriega because he “represents a threat to the Panama Canal.”


Before reporters in Greenville, Bush blamed restrictions on the CIA and publicity about its operatives in the 1970s for the difficulties in rescuing current hostages in Lebanon.

“Many of our sources dried up,” Bush said. “What you need in Lebanon is sources. . . . The stronger the intelligence, the more apt you are to understand what’s going on and be able to find people.”

In South Carolina, Bush is locked in battle with former religious broadcaster Pat Robertson and, to a lesser extent, Kansas Sen. Bob Dole. At stake on March 5 is not only a Southern victory, but also one that candidates hope will propel the winner toward the top of the Super Tuesday heap three days later.

Claims by Robertson


In recent weeks, Robertson has unleashed a series of controversial--and largely unsubstantiated--statements. He said he believes that Cuba has Soviet missiles pointed at the United States and he has accused Bush of rigging a debate in Dallas.

Earlier this week, Robertson called Bush “weak” and branded his campaign staff “sleazy.” He implied that Bush had a part in the unraveling of Jimmy Swaggart’s ministry--in an effort, Robertson intimated, to taint Robertson’s campaign by association.

But Bush got some measure of revenge Friday with some pointed comments of his own.

Asked in Greenville if his campaign had engaged in dirty tactics, Bush gave a curt “No,” then directed his remarks to Robertson.


“If you make such an allegation, the American sense of fair play again says prove it. You think there’s Cuban missiles, scaring the American people? What’s your facts?

“You think the Bush campaign is fooling around with you and corrupting the Dallas Morning News (sponsors of the debate) so they leak questions to me and pack the house? Prove it.

Bush Laughs at Charge

“I’ve had something to do with arranging for the Assemblies of God to bring out information two weeks before the South Carolina primary?” Bush said incredulously, then laughed. “Forgive me--prove it.”


Bush also moved Friday toward Robertson’s power base, the religious. He met with two dozen evangelical ministers in Greenville and asked for their support.

“I don’t believe this religious community is monolithic and all are going to embrace one candidate,” Bush told reporters later.

In the ministers’ meeting, the vice president said he would not hesitate to ask God’s help for his presidency.

“I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal savior. Always will,” Bush said.