The Bush Administration stepped up its attack on another old drug-dealing foe last week: Panama's General Manuel Antonio Noriega. At a meeting of the Organization of American States, Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger charged that the strongman had amassed a personal treasure of at least $200 million through criminal activities, mostly drug trafficking. Eagleburger contended that Noriega has "protected" cocaine shipments to the U.S. from Colombia, permitted construction of a cocaine laboratory in Panama and laundered millions in drug money. Declared Eagleburger: "Noriega's greed, personal ambition and selfishness are the origin, core and sustenance of Panama's crisis."

Next day Noriega thumbed his nose at the U.S. He selected an old crony, Francisco Rodriguez, as Panama's new President. Noriega's choice replaces Manuel Solis Palma, who became acting President in February 1988, after Noriega fired Eric Arturo Delvalle, who had attempted to oust Noriega as commander of the Panamanian Defense Forces. The U.S. continued to recognize Delvalle, even though he had fled to Miami. His term officially ended on Friday. Bush vowed to continue pressing U.S. efforts to force Noriega from power.