Questions about his drug dealing began while Richard Nixon was president and have arisen repeatedly through both Republican and Democratic administrations ever since.

However, Noriega's usefulness as an intelligence source always appeared to overshadow the suspected drug dealing and no action was taken until the recent indictments.

Rubino said he would argue the case should be dismissed on grounds that Noriega could not get a fair trial in the United States.

"Pretrial publicity is amazing in the amount," the attorney said. "Not only the amount but the type of publicity.

"The president of the United States said he was a thug and purveyor of drugs to children," Rubino said. "Obviously, how can someone strike that from their mind and give this man a fair trial?"

Rubino said he also would argue that the case should be dismissed because Noriega was "maximum leader" of Panama when he was seized and therefore should be immune from U.S. prosecution as a head of state in a foreign country.

As for possible similar use of U.S. force against other unfriendly leaders in other countries, Scowcroft said Panama was unique.

"I would not say this is a precedent for any other action," he said. "I would not draw conclusions from it."

Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger concurred when asked on NBC-TV's "Meet the Press" about possible similar action against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.