Posted on 06/06/2005 9:27:29 AM PDT by CHARLITE
Ronald Reagan's defense secretary, Caspar Weinberger, credited with engineering the demise of the Soviet Union, once predicted – because of illegal immigration and social unrest south of the border – the U.S. would be at war with Mexico by 2003.
As the U.S. becomes increasingly concerned about just those issues – and one more, the growing power and violence of the drug cartels operating in and around the border – some U.S. intelligence and military analysts are dusting off Weinberger's "Operation Aztec" battle plan for review.
Weinberger's scenario outlined a rapid three-pronged military invasion designed to control domestic Mexican unrest and stem the influx of millions of immigrants.
Likewise, in a 1994 Pentagon briefing paper dealing with "deployment of U.S. troops in Mexico as a result of widespread economic and social chaos," Donald E. Schultz, a professor of national security at the U.S. Army's War College around the same time wrote: "A hostile government could put U.S. investments in Mexico in danger, jeopardize access to oil, produce a flood of political refugees and economic migrants to the north."
Meanwhile, Mexican President Vicente Fox is indeed concerned about his country's internal security. A few days ago, he summoned to Sinaloa a meeting with top-level officials to discuss various issues of Mexican national security.
The meeting was described by observers as a "top-level group to define Mexican security actions." The president guided his group of experts to draft within the next 90 days, a structure and mechanism proposal on several critical security issues. He instructed the team to prepare strategies to combat illegal arms build-ups, to fight small time drug traders and to find ways to reduce drug addiction prevalence and money laundering. According to the presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar, Fox instructed his top-level group to divide the upcoming 90 days into 30-, 60- and 90-day time spans.
Oddly, however, the border with the U.S. was a very low priority for Fox and his advisers. They were concerned more with their own southern borders with Belize and Guatemala, where Mexico faces its own illegal immigration crisis.
It seems unavoidable that the U.S.-Mexico border is going to be the big issue in the 2006 mid-term elections in the U.S., whether or not it is a major issue for Mexican politicians vying for political office next year:
The Zetas, a group of U.S.-trained commandos who turned from drug interdiction to drug cartel protection, have killed hundreds along the border since January, raising concerns even from the U.S. Justice Department, which seldom likes to acknowledge any problems with Mexico.
The illegal immigration wave continues unabated with no plans in sight from the Bush administration. Members of Congress from both parties are currently planning to introduce bills in the coming weeks to militarize the border.
While the Zetas are concerned with cross-border drug-running operations, other criminal gangs, some just as deadly, run the people smuggling operations. And there are growing concerns in Washington about the ability of terrorist groups to buy their way into the U.S. through these contacts.
Illegal immigration in the U.S. far outpaces legal immigration, causing economic and cultural problems, as well as security issues. Experts on Mexican security and crime say Fox, preparing for the 2006 presidential campaign, is definitely worried about deteriorating relations with the U.S., particularly with U.S. border-states.
Fox is facing a big political challenge from the growing power and popularity of Mexico City's mayor, Anres Manuel Lopez Obrador, nicknamed AMLO. On May 24, Obrador came out with a remarkable show of force, bringing into the streets 1.2 million non-violent demonstrators to protest attempts by the president to curb his candidacy through judicial acrobatics. The demonstration's dimension, the way it reverberated across the country, and the apparent re-organizing of indigenous and left-wing guerrilla fighters and guerrilla sympathizers, sent shockwaves throughout the Mexican oligarchy.
More than 40 Percent of Mexicans live below the poverty line. Although Mexican officials tend to brag only 3.2 percent of the population is unemployed, CIA experts explain that more than 25 percent of those labeled as working are in reality, and according to any western standards, severely under employed. When these data are added to many other ailments in the country's socio-political reality it is no wonder the mass's discontent, unrest and instability is about to burst.
Security experts claim a variety of groups and organizations plan to play an active role in the coming election campaign, hoping to bring down the Fox administration as well as the present military and police establishments. These include the:
Aboriginal Zapatista National Liberation Army, EZLN, which in the 90s waged war on the state, and then negotiated a cease-fire with Fox's predecessor.
The Popular Liberation Army, EPR, based mainly in the Guerreo State.
Commando Jaramillista Moreense de 23 Mayo, also known as the CJM23M. An illusive group which so far surfaced mainly through leaflets, press releases and threats against the state. More groups mentioned in the May-June 2001 publication of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center Military Review are:
The People's Revolutionary Army, EPR,
The Revolutionary Army of Insurgent Peoples. ERPI,
The People's Revolutionary Armed Forces, FARP,
The Villist Revolutionary Army of the People, VRAP, and
The Clandestine Revolutionary Army of the Poor, CRAP. Defense Intelligence Agency analysts have recently added accumulating information on jihadi groups establishing shop in Mexico City and other urban centers. An FBI wanted list for drug cartel bosses placed Ramon Eduardo Arellano-Felix at the top, describing him as extremely violent and probably with extensive narco-terror connection, setting him next to terrorist Osama bin Laden on the FBI 10 most wanted list. This by itself illuminates the appalling scope of the problem.
The Sinaloa meeting deliberately avoided dealing with so-called "mega-problems" and instead focused more on relatively petty local crimes. This is an indication the Fox administration is planning to use the infamous traditional Mexican political solution of joining forces with drug cartels despite its malignant ripple affect on the Mexican and even U.S. societies.
The Mexican and the U.S. administrations, each government for reasons of its own, are doing their utmost to dodge issues around the border-crossing epidemic from Mexico to the U.S. As politicians in Washington are trying to avoid coping with public opinion or evade voicing support to such initiatives as the Minuteman Project and the Yuma Patriots, these very issues do not escape the eyes of the Department of Homeland Security and immigration authorities.
The above data when added to the overall, possibly shaky, political situation in Mexico, and with Fox's open disregard for mutual border respect, the U.S. is faced with a dangerously looming confrontation with her supposedly friendly neighbor in the south.
Hershey, when Newt 'diddle's' with Hillary, I smell triangulation. That tells me both "sides" are in trouble, and bipatisan-ship has been exposed for the political parlor game it is.. all about sharing the sand box. The American public be damned.. desperation to hold on to the rampant idiotic status quo. We need to kick out the old guard.. hopelessly corrupted. It's past time to clean house. IMHO
This is not just about President Bush, it's about both political parties destroying this country. If there is no political price to pay, they will do nothing. Everyone needs to wake up.. you are right, there is NOT time to dither. 2008 is TOO LATE. 2006, at the ballot box.. or impeachment of all Congressman that have violoated their oaths to support the constitution and protect the American people.
I think the alternative...invading Mexico at some point to straighten them out before their problems spill over the border, and it's way too late for that, is what impelled GW to igore our leaky borders. Then those two thousand Costa Ricans said they were walking north...two years ago...arrived and promptly said they weren't leaving...which also got GW's attention. What do you do with Central America and South America's poor, mal-nourished, ill-educated population, etc., esp. with Chavez in Venezuela, playing footsie with Castro, at the bottom of all this.
I understand GW's motives and logic, but resent the lack of honest disclosure. GW and the country are taking a huge risk, and he knew if given a vote, we'd say NO. We gave away our manufacturing base and then outsourced everything but the kitchen sink, and they're coming for that. Plus, the ugly truth is there are too many this time for assimilation.
Fox's bureaucrat pal mentioned 'integration' with the US a few weeks ago.
Well, it looks like it's a done deal -- America as a noble experiment in self government vanishes. There's always the possibility that the Muslims will get us first, though, what with ingrained PC thinking and suitcase nukes in the hands of anybody with the money to buy one.
I was amazed that nobody on Fox picked up on what the speech really meant. It was like an elephant in the living room. Maybe the MSM is waiting for the dems to attack Bush with it.
Come to think of it, I missed that segment on Rush where Newt was going to explain his canoodling with Hill. I smell triangulation, too. Gulp, I didn't think I could get more depressed.
'Igore'...ignore, of course, sorry.
Newt repeated it at least twice that I've seen. Once on Hannity's radio show... the other time either with O'Really, or H&C.. I rarely watch BO anymore, but I try to tune in when he discussess the border / alien / alien crime issues. It's just hard for me to hear him with those hairy hands flailing around..
Okay. who will be the first one to call the genius Weinberger, a dummy??
Congressmen won't impeach their own. Congress is getting the message I think. We will see. The President is no help at all though. He seems to be actively on the side of the barbarians. THAT'S why I think he's courting impeachment.
You could be right. I wonder what happened to my President that said "I will defend America everytime". I guess I should've been listening for "the United States".. as America could be North America, Central America, South America.. words are important..
I've said for some time now, if he doesn't start his speech with, My fellow Americans for the safety of our country, I have henceforth closed the borders. In light of 9/11, the borders present an open source for which our nation sought cooperation with our trade partners to the south. Our countries face enemies within our borders, and each country must eradicate the murderous hoards, so that we may again, seek progress on cooperative issues such as we are sworn to protect our individual nations. A moritorium on all immigration is now called indefinitely. I am calling Congress for an emergency session that will seek to hear no other business but national security concerns, until we can present a plan to the American people. My nation voice will not be silenced by the rhetoric of politics.
Yeah, we've tried to cooperate with the countries to the south, they just try to export their ugliness... damn them.
'For at least 2 decades before the Zimmerman Telegram, an "infrastructure" for such a scenario had been put in place in Northern Mexico by having many many Germans relocate there. Rommel went there to learn desert warfare from Pancho Villa.'
wow, where do you found that information? I want to see the whole article.
It was for a paper in college, and it's been a few years, but my primary sources were books about Pancho Villa & the Mexican Revolution and I recall one book that was titled something like "Germans in Mexico". Even today, if you Google "Pancho Villa" and "Germany", you'll get quite a few informative hits.
PS: I've told a story on this forum before, so I won't rehash it, but during WWII, a very hungry, very lost, blond, blue-eyed young man in a heavy wool coat and carrying some kind of radio appeared at my grandmother's front door in Laredo (where nobody wears coats--wool or other) asking for food in better, more fluent Spanish than even my grandmother spoke.
And, it runs due East until it (maybe) dips to just about Austin.
I take it back, there are pockets in there but Ft Worth etc. are on the appropriate latitude.
I may have voted for George Bush twice, but I no longer support him. He has singlehandedly allowed the Trojan Horse to enter our country and is responsible for the crime, disease and bankrupcy of our nation and culture.
Their will be "no war" with Mexico but the George Bush presidency is over. He has lost the support of the majority of Americans by allowing the invasion from Mexico to continue.
He could have learned alot from IKE.
listen Listen to the President's Remarks
1:45 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Ambassador, thank you very much. Secretary General, Distinguished Ambassadors, it's a pleasure for me to be here at the OAS.
I want to recognize, before I begin, Luigi Einaudi, who has ably served our government for decades. He's now lent his skills and experience to the OAS. It is clear that he and the Secretary General have made a very good team. Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. (Applause.)
As I prepare to go to the Summit of the Americas in Quebec, I thought it was important to make a visit to the House of the Americas. It was a good meeting. I just had a good meeting with the Secretary General. We had a good discussion about the future of the OAS and its important role.
We discussed opportunities and challenges that our hemisphere faces. Today, I want to speak with you about our shared future and the important role the OAS will play in helping to shape it.
Our gathering in Quebec comes at a remarkable moment in history. All the nations of this hemisphere, save one, have embraced a collective commitment to democracy, and to the fundamental freedoms that underlie democracy.
We have embraced a collective challenge to build a hemisphere that trades in freedom and grows in prosperity. We have embraced a collective responsibility to break down the barriers of poverty, disease, ignorance, so individuals may better realize their full, God-given potential.
The OAS has an important role to play in these common goals. In lands where liberty is threatened by corruption, drugs and human rights abuses, the OAS is helping combat these destructive forces. Along borders where tensions run high, the OAS helps build confidence and avoid crises.
And in lands where freedom's hold is fragile, the OAS is there to strengthen it. The OAS's recent work in Peru is an example of this organization's commitment to democracy. The election, held there on April the 8th, was peaceful and well-run. And we know this: It is a direct result of the Secretary General's involvement. And our hemisphere is grateful, Mr. Secretary.
We need to build on successes like these. The United States hopes, for example, that the OAS can serve as a valuable mediator in Haiti, between President Aristide and the democratic opposition. We also need to build on the progress the OAS has made in the fight against drug-trafficking and abuse. Thanks to the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control commission, our hemisphere is more united in addressing this problem, both in supply, and I might remind you, in demand, than it has ever been before. And the commission's new evaluation system for monitoring nations' progress in fighting drugs is a major achievement.
In this week's Quebec Summit, our goal is simple, yet profound. The discussions we hold, and the mandates we produce, must help improve the lives of people throughout our hemisphere. The summit is given meaning and value by concrete results. We must strengthen democratic institutions in this hemisphere, to give reality to the forms of democracy. This means improving judicial institutions, and making government more open.
Good government is essential to building the trust of our citizens. And democratic values must remain the core of our hemispheric familia. As Prime Minister Chretien so apply said in this very hall last February, we must ensure that smaller economies are provided the assistance they need to implement trade agreements, and to realize the full benefits of a more integrated hemisphere.
We must extend the benefits of education in this hemisphere. Both development and democracy in the long term depend on education. We must build the skills and reward the hopes of all our people.
And we must affirm our commitment to complete negotiations on the free trade area of the Americans by January, 2005. Nothing we do in Quebec will be more important or have a greater long-term impact. It will make our hemisphere the largest free trade area in the world, encompassing 34 countries and 800 million people.
There's a vital link between freedom of people and freedom of commerce. Democratic freedoms cannot flourish unless our hemisphere also builds a prosperity whose benefits are widely shared. And open trade is an essential foundation for that prosperity and that possibility.
Open trade fuels the engines of economic growth that creates new jobs and new income. It applies the power of markets to the needs of the poor. It spurs the process of economic and legal reform. It helps dismantle protectionist bureaucracies that stifle incentive and invite corruption. And open trade reenforces the habits of liberty that sustain democracy over the long term.
For all these reasons, my administration is committed to pursuing open trade at every opportunity. We'll pursue open trade bilaterally, with individual nations such as Chile and Singapore and Jordan. We'll pursue open trade globally through a new round of multilateral negotiations.
We want to open global markets so that our farmers and ranchers and workers and service providers and high-tech entrepreneurs can enjoy the benefits of a more integrated world. And, of course, we'll pursue these goals throughout our hemisphere through the free trade area of the Americas.
Since open trade is one of my top priorities for our hemisphere, gaining U.S. trade promotion authority is one of my top priorities in Congress. I made this clear in my first address to the Congress. We have reinforced this message in meetings my Cabinet officers and I have had with over 100 members of Congress. Trade promotion authority gives our trading partners confidence that they can rely on the deals that they negotiate. It allows us to seize opportunities to expand the circle of trade and prosperity.
We're now actively working with Congress on a strategy for passing legislation, granting the trade promotion authority. We'll intensify this effort when I return from Quebec, and I'm confident we'll succeed.
Shortly after the summit, we'll also publish the initial working draft of our hemisphere free trade agreement. This will allow our citizens from all our countries to see what is being negotiated and give them a chance to provide their views on this important document.
Just a few moments ago, the Secretary General and I walked from his office, and we passed the Hall of Heroes. The great leaders honored there embody the spirit of cooperation that chracterizes the OAS. These visionaries imagined a future in which the Americas would be bound together in a common effort to create a hemisphere that is both free and prosperous.
Today, we have the opportunity to realize that dream. Together, it is our responsibility to seize the moment.
Thank you for having me. (Applause.)
END
1:56 P.M. EDT
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Sounds familiar, right? President spoke at OAS today, right? Yes, he did make the speach BUT the above text AIN'T from todays speech, it is from 2001!
Check out what he said TODAY!!!
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THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, GEORGE W. BUSH OPENING OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES GENERAL ASSEMBLY June 6, 2005 - GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE/BROWARD COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Welcome to the United States. Thanks for having me. Madam Secretary, thank you for your service; thank you for your friendship; thank you for your short introduction. (Laughter.)
Ambassador Maisto, members of the United States Congress -- four members, by the way, of the Florida delegation have joined us today, and I'm grateful that they have come. Secretary General Insulza, thank you; congratulations. Thank you for coming by the Oval Office the other day to give me a briefing. Assistant Secretary General, thank you, sir; it's good to see you again. Distinguished visitors and guests. I'm honored to be here at this meeting of the Organization of American States.
The ties that bind the Americas are particularly vivid here in Florida. I mean, if you spend any time in this state, you'll find people from all over our hemisphere who live here. This state has benefited because immigrants from throughout the hemisphere have made their homes here. I know firsthand -- I'm pretty familiar with the state's Governor. (Laughter.) He keeps me abreast of what's taking place in this state.
You know, our ties are represented in different ways. Perhaps you know this, but my brother was lucky enough to marry a fantastic woman from Mexico; the First Lady of Florida is Mexican-born. A United States Senator from Florida, Mel Martinez, was born in Cuba. No, the ties in our hemisphere between America and our hemisphere are particularly strong in Florida. It's a perfect place to have the meeting. Thank you for choosing Florida.
As I look out at the distinguished foreign ministers, I find we have much in common. We're the children of the New World, founded in empire and fulfilled in independence. Our people are united by history and geography. And the United States shares a commitment with you to build an Americas that lives in liberty, trades in freedom, and grows in prosperity.
We come together at a great moment in history, when freedom is on the march around our world. In the last year-and-a-half -- think about this -- we've witnessed a Rose Revolution in Georgia, an Orange Revolution in Ukraine, a Purple Revolution in Iraq, a Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan, a Cedar Revolution in Lebanon -- and these are just the beginnings. Across Central Asia, hope is stirring at the prospect of change -- and change will come. Across the broader Middle East, we are seeing the rise of a new generation whose hearts burn for freedom -- and they will have it.
This love of liberty has long roots in our own hemisphere. Not long after the United States won its independence from Britain, patriots throughout the Americas were inspired to take their own stand. One of them was an Argentine general named Jose de San Martin. During the struggle for independence from Spain, the general declared, "In the last corner of the earth that I might find myself, I will be ready to sacrifice my existence for liberty."
San Martin's dream of liberty has found a home in the Organization of American States. This organization's founding documents calls the Americas to its "historic mission to offer to man a land of liberty, and a favorable environment for the realization of his just aspirations." That mission was given its clear direction in the Inter-American Democratic Charter declaring that "the peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote it and defend it." And today what was once a distant dream is now within our reach: an Americas wholly free and democratic and at peace with ourselves and our neighbors.
In the new Americas of the 21st century, (show) democracy is now the rule, rather than the exception. Think of the dramatic changes we have seen in our lifetime. In 1974, the last time the OAS General Assembly met in the United States, fewer than half its members had democratically elected governments. Today, all 34 countries participating in this General Assembly have (the appearance of) democratic, constitutional governments. Only one country in this hemisphere sits outside this society of democratic nations -- and one day the tide of freedom will reach Cuba's shores, as well. (Applause.) The great Cuban patriot Jose Marti said it best: La libertad no es negociable.
The dramatic gains for democracy we have witnessed in our hemisphere must not be taken for granted. Democratic change and free elections are exhilarating events. Yet we know from experience they can be followed by moments of uncertainty. When people risk everything to vote, it can raise expectations that their lives will improve immediately -- but history teaches us that the path to a free and prosperous society is long and not always smooth. Each nation must follow its own course, according to its own history. Yet the old and new democracies of the Americas share a common interest in showing every citizen of our hemisphere that freedom brings not just peace -- it brings a better life for themselves and their families.
In the new Americas of the 21st century, bringing a better life to our people requires choosing between two competing visions. One offers a vision of hope -- it is founded on representative government, integration into the world markets, and a faith in the transformative power of freedom in individual lives. The other seeks to roll back the democratic progress of the past two decades by playing to fear, pitting neighbor against neighbor, and blaming others for their own failures to provide for their people. The choices we make will determine which vision will define the Americas our children inherit -- we must make tough decisions today to ensure a better tomorrow.
To give our children a better tomorrow, our citizens must see that democracy delivers more than promises. They need to see in their daily lives that their hard work and enterprises are rewarded. They need to see that in a democratic society, people can walk in the streets in safety, corruption is punished, and all citizens are equal before the law. And when the people of the Americas see that opportunity and social mobility are real, they will know that in a free and democratic society, the only limit to how far they can go is the size of their dreams.
The United States believes it has an obligation to help build this better tomorrow for all the citizens. Working with our partners in the region, my government has helped the leaders of this hemisphere meet our goal of delivering treatment to 600,000 HIV sufferers across the region. In 2002, the United States launched the Millennium Challenge Account to help poor nations and to revolutionize the concept of development aid. My administration's approach is based on the common sense idea that development aid works best in countries that are proving their commitment to govern justly, to invest in their citizens, and to open up their economies. Under this program, aid will go to those who deliver results for their people.
Next week, Honduras will become the second country to sign a Millennium Challenge compact -- for a $215 million program that will help Honduran farmers grow better crops, as well as money to build highways that will open markets for them around the region and the world.
To advance economic development in the Americas, the U.S. government already makes about $5 billion in loans and grants to the region throughout [sic] the Ex-Im Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Trade and Development Agency. In preparation for the Summit of the Americas later this year in Argentina, my administration will be looking for new ways to prime the real engines of hope in the Americas: its small businesses and private enterprises and entrepreneurs. When people throughout the Americas see their lives improve and opportunity more abundant, their faith in democracy will grow and our hemisphere will be more secure.
In the new Americas of the 21st century, one of the surest ways to make opportunity real for all our citizens is by opening our doors to trade. My government is pursuing this goal at all levels: at the global level through the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization, at the regional level through Free Trade Area of the Americas, and at the bilateral level with Free Trade Agreements with individual countries like Chile and Mexico and Canada. And the United States Congress is now considering the Central American and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, which offers an historic opportunity to bring prosperity to the citizens of our hemisphere who have not known it (but not the the united States).
For the young democracies of Central America, CAFTA would bring new investment, and that means good jobs and higher labor standards for their workers (which lowers ours). In these nations, wealthier citizens already enjoy access to goods and services produced abroad. By reducing tariffs on U.S. goods, all consumers in these countries will enjoy better goods at lower prices. These lower prices will also give Central American small businesses and farmers and entrepreneurs less costly access to U.S. machinery and equipment (huh???) which will make them more competitive and help their economies grow. By bringing economic growth to Central America, CAFTA will contribute to the rise of a vibrant middle class. And that makes us reach -- a step closer to our goal, a goal of the Americas where the opportunities in San Jose, Costa Rica are as real as they are in San Jose, California.
For U.S. farmers and businesses and workers, CAFTA would expand opportunity by creating a more level playing field for our goods and services. Under existing rules, most of Central America's exports already enter the United States duty free -- but U.S. exports still face hefty tariffs. By passing CAFTA, the United States would open up a market of 44 million consumers for our farmers and small business people. CAFTA will replace a system (open capitalism?) that is often arbitrary with one that is fair and transparent and based on common rules.
For the Western Hemisphere, CAFTA would continue to advance the stability and security that come from freedom. An Americas linked by trade is less likely to be divided by resentment and false ideologies. An Americas where all our people live in prosperity will be more peaceful. And an Americas whose countries have reduced the barriers to trade among ourselves will be a more competitive region in a global economy.
CAFTA is more than just a trade agreement. It is a signal of the U.S. commitment to democracy and prosperity for our neighbors -- and I urge the United States Congress to pass it. (Applause.)
In the last half-century, the nations of the Americas have overcome enormous challenges: colonialism and communism and military dictatorship. At the start of this new century, these divisions have fallen away, and now we have it within our means to eliminate the scourge of poverty from our hemisphere. In this room we still represent many different countries with different traditions and different mother tongues -- but today we can say with pride that we all speak the common language of liberty (????). And by making the blessings of freedom real in our hemisphere, we will set a shining example for all the world. Thank you for letting me come by. Que Dios los bendiga, may God bless you all. (Applause.)
END 12:03 P.M. EDT
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Well, well. No Globalist agenda here eh? Riiiiight.
The only time I see the u. S even MENTIONED it is to state a commitment to give taxpayer billions to a third world rathole. Hell, La Raza would be proud!
Fits nicely with this from 2/2001: See:
Conclusions of the U.S.-Mexico Migration Panel
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1402132/posts
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