International Bridges and Border Crossings 10 May 2005
http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/index.php?option=news&task=viewarticle&sid=134
Press Release 73
Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico
May 5, 2005
THE MEXICO-UNITED STATES BINATIONAL GROUP ON BRIDGES AND BORDER CROSSINGS MET FROM MAY 2ND-4TH FOR THE 35TH TIME IN REYNOSA, TAMAULIPAS
The 35th meeting of the Mexico-United States Binational Group on Bridges and Border Crossings was held in Reynosa, Tamaulipas from May 2nd-4th. Representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Treasury, Communications and Transportation, Public Administration and Migration from both countries attended, as did local authorities in charge of the crossing points and groups of businessmen from Mexico and the United States who are interested in participating in the development and modernization of the border between the two countries.
The governor of Tamaulipas, Eugenio Hernández Flores, and the mayor of Reynosa, Francisco Javier Cabeza de Vaca, inaugurated the meeting. The working sessions were chaired by Juan Bosco Martí Ascencio, the Foreign Ministry’s General Director for North America, and by Mr. John Ritchie, the U.S. State Department’s Border Coordinator.
The Bridges and Border Crossings Group was created in 1983. Since 1989, it has convened as part of the Mexico-United States Binational Commission which brings together most of the cabinet of both countries, with each country hosting the meeting in alternate years.
In Reynosa, and based on the 22 commitments agreed to by Presidents Vicente Fox and George Bush and contained in the Border Partnership Action Plan (Monterrey, March 2002) and in conformity with the mandate of the Foreign Ministers of each country as established during the 20th Mexico-United States Binational Commission held in November 2004 in Mexico City, the Mexican government renewed its commitment to giving impetus to developing the border and to addressing the needs of its communities.
The commitments adopted by officials from both countries include the following:
Leveling the asphalt on the Mexican side of the Reynosa-Pharr International Bridge. Public bidding for this project will be opened on May 25, 2005.
Beginning technical consultations to put in place priority projects to modernize the existing infrastructure of the bridges and crossing points, in order to facilitate and guarantee the safety of bilateral trade and the flow of individuals, and to make businesses more competitive and to improve the quality of life on the border.
To consider and make a technical evaluation of the proposals presented by representatives of local authorities and business groups that promote comprehensive projects to improve, broaden or open ports of entry.
Lastly and in contrast to the group’s previous meetings, the delegations visited the Reynosa-Pharr and Díaz Ordaz-Los Ebanos entry points in order to verify the state of both international crossing points.
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Washington, DC, April 13, 2005
THE EMBASSY OF MEXICO DENIES ALLEGATIONS THAT MEXICAN ARMY PERSONNEL IS INVOLVED IN MIGRATION ACTIVITIES
The Embassy of Mexico firmly denies all allegations presented by some American media outlets stating that Mexican Army personnel is dissuading and guiding Mexican migrants who are attempting to enter the United States, so that they do not cross the area where vigilante groups are situated.
There is no military personnel performing this type of activity at the border, let alone in the Sonora-Arizona area.
The only personnel protecting migrants is that of the Grupo Beta. The Grupo Beta is coordinated by the National Institute of Migration and it is made up exclusively of federal, state, and municipal public security officials. There are no military personnel involved in this group.
The Grupo Beta has been carrying out its operations at the Mexican border with Arizona since 1994 with the creation of the Group Beta-Nogales.
The Grupo Beta’s objectives include the protection and the defense of the human rights of migrants, as well as their personal safety, regardless of their nationality; the fight against crime, in collaboration with competent authorities; and rescue and aid missions for migrants who find themselves in dangerous situations.
The Mexican Army does not participate in any action taken with regard to the displacement of individuals, given that the freedom of movement in national territory is a Constitutional right. The presence of the Mexican Army in the Mexican state of Sonora works for the destruction of illicit drug crops and the fight against drug trafficking.