The government of Panama announced two days of celebrations ahead of next month's official U.S. transfer of control over the Panama Canal. The canal is due officially to pass from American to Panamanian control at noon on Dec. 31, ending a U.S. presence dating back to the nation's independence from Colombia in 1903. But celebrations have been brought forward by about two weeks - to Dec. 13-14 -- to avoid clashing with millennium celebrations, Foreign Minister Miguel Aleman said. The celebrations have been scheduled, officials said. The list of foreign dignitaries who will attend has yet to be finalized, Foreign Ministry sources said, adding that leaders from member countries of the Organization of American States had been invited, along with delegations from Japan, France, Egypt and Spain.
