PANAMA CITY, Panama -- Commerce slowed but was not stopped Monday as some Panamanian shopkeepers closed their doors for a 24-hour strike called by opponents of military strongman Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega.
Uniformed troops held strategic locations in the city's downtown shopping and banking district to prevent the disruption of traffic and to protect businesses ignoring the strike call.
Traffic flowed unimpeded through the downtown area, and authorities said no violence had been reported as of midday.
The opposition National Civic Crusade called the 24-hour strike in its latest attempt to challenge the rule of Noriega, the power behind the country's nominal leader, President Eric Arturo Delvalle.
'We want a decision today,' said a 26-year-old employee of one striking business in the city's banking and shopping district, declining, like others interviewed, to be named.
'We want peace and liberty,' said a woman, adding she feared reprisal by the government if identified.
Panamanians opposing Noriega have protested almost daily for more than two months, seeking investigation of charges that Noriega engaged in election fraud and conspired to murder an opposition politician.
Monday's strike appeared to be less widely followed than the last such actions July 27-28. But many stores operated with reduced staff, allowing employees who so desired to remain home.
The government stopped short of prohibiting Monday's strike, but announced schools would remain open and publicized the military's plans to maintain a high profile in the city.
Opposition leaders said they planned to stage a motorized demonstration in the afternoon, forming a parade to begin at the Crusade's downtown headquarters.
