U.S. travel alert creates friction with Mexico for new Bush team

AP ^ | 1/27/5 | JOHN RICE

[SmithL]

MEXICO CITY -- A U.S. warning about violence in northern Mexico created unexpected friction with a crucial neighbor on Thursday, just as new Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other new members of George W. Bush's team are starting to take office.

Mexico's top Cabinet officer, Interior Secretary Santiago Creel, said in a nationwide television interview Thursday that the U.S. warning issued Wednesday "went too far." He said the United States shares responsibility for problems of violence and drug traffic.

"Why didn't they say anything a week ago when I was in that meeting with the secretary of homeland security?" Creel said, referring to a meeting with Tom Ridge on Jan. 17 in Calexico, California. "He didn't express any concern to me. On the contrary," Ridge praised Mexico's actions, Creel added.

Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez said Wednesday night that the "seem to use exaggerated and outside the scope of reality." He said Mexican leaders are demanding meetings to discuss the issue.

The outburst of Mexican irritation came on the day that Rice took over and as the Bush Administration is preparing to change leadership at the Homeland Security and Justice Departments that deal with issues of drug trafficking, immigration and security along the long Mexican border.

Mexico, and Latin America in general, were little mentioned in debate over the confirmation of Rice, whose background was as a specialist in Eastern Europe.

Mexican officials seemed especially irritated by the emphatic manner of the U.S. warning: A formal announcement by the State Department was accompanied by the public release of a letter to Mexican officials by U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza -- who is considered here to be a relatively close friend of Bush.

[jb6]

What are they crucial for? Besides invading our nation and publishing how to guides for their human wave invasions? Besides being an open door way for Islamics and anyone else, these guys do nothing for our "relationship" but take.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Mexican officials seemed especially irritated by the emphatic manner

The US has lost so much patience with Mexico that we don't care how we say things ...

[Bean Counter]

Why not tell Mexico to elect a Governor, and we will add a star? Think of the possibilities...

The same solution could be applied to Canuckistan as well...of course, we would have to dig up Quebec and ship it home to France...

[Darkwolf377]

The Mexican spokespeople have a lot of cojones--they bray like the US is supposed to be there to serve them. I hope W snaps out of this buttkissing posture he's been in for four years regarding Mexico.

[mlbford2]

The drug folks in Mexico have been killing Americans on the northern border for decades. I remember back in '86, during spring break in S. Padre, a guy was killed by drug smugglers. All they found of the kid was his spine and skull. Ritualistic killing. Happens quite often.

[skip_intro]

Notice how the lead of this article is phrased. It's our problem, not Mexico's.

Tough nuts, Mexico.

[Restore]

Accused of 11 counts of MURDER, Illegal Immigrant Juan Manuel Alvarez, 25, of MEXICO, who parked his sport utility vehicle on the tracks.

[JustAnAmerican]

"Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez said Wednesday night that the "seem to use exaggerated and outside the scope of reality." He said Mexican leaders are demanding meetings to discuss the issue.

You mean the same Mexican official that said he was going to the International Court to have Arizona's voter approved Prop. 200, overturned? This POS along with all his Mexican pals, needs to keep his friggen nose out of America and American's business.

Foreign secretary says Mexico may ask international courts to block Proposition 200

[Mark17]

The US has lost so much patience with Mexico that we don't care how we say things ...

Mexico ranks near the bottom of places I would ever want to visit.

[JustAnAmerican]

If this SOB was illegal, a lot of Politicans and their supporters need to be removed from office pronto.

[ruiner]

Probably becuase they knew you were a loudmouth jackass who would go on national TV and blurt out crap like this. This shows the professionalism of a 16yo hs cheerleader.

"Why didn't they say anything a week ago when I was in that meeting with the secretary of homeland security?" Creel said, referring to a meeting with Tom Ridge on Jan. 17 in Calexico, California. "He didn't express any concern to me. On the contrary," Ridge praised Mexico's actions, Creel added.

Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez said Wednesday night that the "seem to use exaggerated and outside the scope of reality." He said Mexican leaders are demanding meetings to discuss the issue.

[skeeter]

Mexico's top Cabinet officer, Interior Secretary Santiago Creel, said in a nationwide television interview Thursday that the U.S. warning issued Wednesday "went too far."

Why on earth risk 'going too far' & interrupting the flow of greebacks soutward when all thats at stake here is the lives of a few US tourists?

I despise the Mexican ruling elite. May we one day be forced to kick their corrupt arses - again.

[Grampa Dave]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_2100.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

---

This information is current as of today, Thu Jan 27 10:36:50 2005.

Mexico

January 26, 2005


This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to the current security situation along the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border in the wake of increased violence among drug traffickers. Although the majority of travelers in the region visit without mishap, violent criminal activity, including murder and kidnapping, in Mexico's northern border region has increased. The overwhelming majority of the victims of violent crime have been Mexican citizens. Nonetheless, U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk posed by the deteriorating security situation. This Public Announcement expires on April 25, 2005.

Violent criminal activity along the U.S.-Mexico border has increased as a product of a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade along the border. The leaders of several major criminal organizations have been arrested, creating a power vacuum. This has resulted in a wave of violence aimed primarily at members of those trafficking organizations and criminal justice officials. However, foreign visitors, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region in recent months.

Mexico's police forces suffer from lack of funds and training, and the judicial system is weak, overworked, and inefficient. Criminals, armed with an impressive array of weapons, know there is little chance they will be caught and punished. In some cases, assailants have been wearing full or partial police uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles, indicating some elements of the police might be involved.

U.S. citizens are urged to be especially aware of safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. The majority of the thousands of U.S. citizens who cross the border each day do so safely, exercising common-sense precautions such as visiting only the legitimate business and tourism areas of border towns during daylight hours. It is strongly recommended that red-light districts and neighborhoods where street drug dealing occurs be avoided.

U.S. citizens who are victims of crime in the border region are urged to contact the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. consulate for advice and assistance.

The U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana, which covers the states of Baja California Norte and Baja California Sur, is located at Ave. Tapachula 96, Colonia Hipódromo. The Consulate General's telephone number is (52)(664) 622-7400, the fax for the office of American Citizen Services is (664) 686-1168, and the Consulate General's web address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/tijuana/Teacs.htm .

The U.S. Consulate in Nogales, which covers northern Sonora, is located at Calle San Jose, Fraccionamiento Los Alamos. The Consulate's telephone number is (52)(631) 313-4820, the fax for the Consulate is (52) (631) 313-46-52, the e-mail address for the Consulate is nogales7@prodigy.net.mx and the Consulate's web address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/nogales/NE_Introduction.htm .

The U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juárez, which covers the state of Chihuahua, is located at Avenida Lopez Mateos 924 Norte. The Consulate General's telephone number is (52)(656) 611-3000, the fax for the Consulate General is (656) 616-9056, the e-mail address for the Consulate General's Office of American Citizen Services is cdjamericancitizens@state.gov, and the Consulate General's web address is http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/mx2/wwwhmain.html .

The U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo, which covers northern Coahuila and northwestern Tamaulipas states, is located at Calle Allende 3330, Colonia Jardin. The Consulate's telephone number is (52)(867) 714-0512, the e-mail address for the Consulate's Office of American Citizen Services is NuevoLaredo-ACS@state.gov, and the Consulate's web address is http://nuevolaredo.usconsulate.gov/nuevolaredo/index.html .

The U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, which covers eastern and southern Tamaulipas state, is located at Calle Primera #2002, Colonia Jardin. The Consulate's telephone number is (52)(868) 812-4402, the fax for the Consulate is (868) 812-2171, and the Consulate's web address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/matamoros/matamoros1.html .

Americans living or traveling in Mexico are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov , and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Mexico. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security for Mexico may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the U.S., or from overseas, 1-317-472-2328. U.S. citizens should consult the Consular Information Sheet for Mexico, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and the travel publication A Safe Trip Abroad, all of which are available on the State Department's Internet site at http://travel.state.gov .

[Almondjoy]

shoo fly shoo.

[monkeywrench]

"He said Mexican leaders are demanding meetings to discuss the issue."

Sounds like they want to jump on Condi.

[JustAnotherSavage]

Creel seems to think he runs our government. I hope he's wrong!

[hushpad]

On the contrary," Ridge praised Mexico's actions, Creel added. <<



I thought Tom Ridge was out of the Homeland Security business.

[JustAnotherSavage]

Has it been established that he is illegal? If so, Mexico will not stand for the death penalty and the US always gives into them on that.

[varon]

I despise the Mexican ruling elite. May we one day be forced to kick their corrupt arses - again.

My sentiments as well about the American ruling elite.