ZONIAN TAKES BREAK WHILE DECORATING HIS NEW HOUSE, 1999-12-10 (photo)

U.S. citizen Bill Kirkland, now retired, who worked on the Panama Canal for 34 years, takes a break for a cigarette while decorating his new home with Christmas lights on the old U.S. base of Albrook December 10. Kirkland, unlike many so called "Zonians", has decided to stay on in Panama despite the Canal and area around it being transfered to Panama. Six heads of state and dignitaries including ex-U.S. President Jimmy Carter will attend the protocol ceremony for the transfer of the U.S. administered waterway to Panama on December 14. The canal will be officially handed over to the Panamanians at mid-day on December 31. AW