Posted on 01/29/2005 4:04:42 PM PST by Brian Mosely
MEXICO CITY (AP) - The United States and Mexico sought to defuse their spat over a U.S. alert about drug-gang violence along the border, issuing a joint statement Saturday in which Washington said its announcement was not meant to keep Americans from traveling south of the border.
Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez and U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza met over breakfast, the joint statement said, to review actions taken by the Mexican government to combat organized crime in northern Mexico, where a surge in killings and kidnappings has been linked to battles between drug gangs.
Garza, the statement said, insisted that the State Department announcement did not recommend that Americans avoid traveling to Mexico, but only that they take precautions in specific areas,
President Vicente Fox intervened in the diplomatic flap on Friday, saying violence near the border did not threaten the two nations' strong relationship.
The State Department issued the travel alert last week, telling Americans that violent crime, including murder and kidnapping, had increased along the Mexican side of the border. Mexican officials said the alert was an exaggeration.
The State Department alert was accompanied by a letter from Garza saying that the lack of security near the U.S. border could have a "chilling" effect on trade and tourism.
On Saturday, Garza said his letter was intended to give "fuller context" and "highlight the fact that the wave of border violence is a result of the successful efforts of President Fox's administration in the fight against organized crime." He said Mexico had increased federal law enforcement operations in the border region with support from the Mexican Army in its effort to combat organized crime.
Garza, nevertheless, restated deep U.S. concern for the safety of American citizens in the border region.
"Both officials noted that their governments recognize that drug trafficking and associated crime do not recognize any borders," according to the joint statement.
WTF?
At first I thought it read United States OF mexico.
UNBELEIVABLE!
Washington is proving again and again that FOX is really running this country AND definitely running Washington wonder whats really going on and what are they holding over Washingtons head.
Somebody got caught telling the truth about the border and was taken to the woodshed. Tsk tsk. Embarrass our Mexican "friends" at your peril.
PING
I wasn't aware that the Mexican government recognized the borders, either. Except Mexico's souther border, that is.
Somebody needs to call a surgeon to detach President Bush's lips from Vicente Fox's posterior.
It's part of our agreement with them. We provide them tourists they can shake down or kidnap and they give us cheap labor and drugs. The cheap labor also sends their money back home too.
Hell of an agreement.
Bumping to absorb later.
The ignorance and stupidity in Washington about this whole issue is breathtaking. And if they don't get their sh!t together, it's gonna be vote taking, too.
Remember how in the late nineties, shortly after GWB began talking about running for President, rumors circulated that there were old photos of him dancing naked on a bar?
I think Fox has them.
FYI---
Somebody needs to call a surgeon to detach President Bush's lips from Vicente Fox's posterior.Seems to me, that it's worse than that.
Bush has his nose so far up Fox's hindquarters, that he can smell half-digested enchiladas.
"The presidential [Fox] statement on Thursday said Mexico shares U.S. concerns about border violence, but said it had taken strong action and added,
"The Mexican government does not accept the judgment or labels of any foreign government about the political actions it carries out to face its problems."
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TRAVEL/01/28/bt.mexico.us.warning.ap/index.html
Sounds like ambassador garza needs replaced!
I have wondered if Bush is trying for Mexican oil. You know Mexico won't allow foriegn investors. What if, just what if, Bush is working on a deal to start a "guest worker" program in exchange for oil contracts? Doesn't make me like it any better but at least I could understand it. I can't understand why we are kissing this guys butt otherwise.
The Mexican leaders apparently made their threat and our leaders are backing down.
LOL!! But it's sad --- he probably does --- or something else just as good.
Apparently this is to avoid disrupting the lucrative Mexican tourist trade and thereby angering the Mexican Government. Unfortunately I'm disappointed but not surprised given the acquiescent posture the US takes towards every Mexican outrage. Complete crap!
The FBI warned agents, and yet Washington BOWS DOWN To fox again?? Placing OUR agents and our people in harms way!
INVADE AND CONQUER THE ENEMY!!<.B>
Here's a couple examples --- pretty girls missing in Mexico --- and how sad for their familes. They certainly don't look like the kind who would have knowingly associated with bad types --- and suddenly our government decides to take the side of the Mexican government which does nothing to stop the violence on the border?
http://www.laredosmissing.com/home.html
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