Posted on 08/25/2006 8:10:34 AM PDT by WestTexasWend
U.S.-Mexico leaders vow to expand trade while securing the border
In two languages, leaders of U.S. and Mexico border states embraced one vision Thursday, pledging at the 24th Border Governors Conference at the Texas Capitol to develop mutually beneficial policies to enhance border security and economic development.
"We are bound together not only by a common border but a common future," Texas Gov. Rick Perry said at the conference's opening ceremonies in the Senate chamber.
Perry, flanked by the leaders of eight other U.S.-Mexico border states, said the governors face new challenges in a new era.
"We can't return to a Sept. 10 mind-set in the face of a continuing threat from a determined enemy without a total commitment to our security," Perry said.
"While we have great sympathy for the migrants who come here for economic purpose, and indeed we welcome that they come in accordance with our immigration laws, it would be both naive and dangerous to believe there are not also those who come here to cause us great harm," he said.
Later, Juan Bosco Marti, head of North American affairs for Mexico's foreign secretary, said the United States and Mexico share responsibilities to strengthen border security and reduce illegal immigration.
"Let me stress that Mexico in no way encourages illegal immigration," said Marti, adding that his country is making strides to stimulate its economy so that its citizens don't have to migrate north.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the lone conference member absent Thursday, is expected to join the second day of meetings today.
Governors and their staffs are conducting most of their business in meetings closed to the public and news media.
McAllen Mayor Ricardo Cortez, who participated in one of those meetings Thursday as a representative of a coalition of border mayors and county judges, said the group called on governors to work for policies that do not harm commerce, the border's lifeblood.
"We believe it's critically important to have border security, but you can't choose border security at the expense of just breaking down all the economics that's been built on the border," Cortez said.
Also at Thursday's ceremonies, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff hailed recent border security crackdowns, which he said had dramatically reduced illegal immigration from Mexico.
Chertoff spoke the day after declaring an end to a so-called catch-and-release policy of illegal immigrants from countries other than Mexico. The policy had been blamed on a lack of detention beds.
Earlier, under a blistering sun, about 30 protesters stood on the south steps of the Capitol, chanting and holding signs, including one that read, "No to the Criminalization of Immigrants."
Demonstrator Che Lopez said the governors were crafting policies that create "a low-intensity war against migrants, against working-class people that are trying to make a living in the United States."
And as the governors neared the close of their day, more than 100 protesters lined the sidewalk across from the rear entrance of the Governor's Mansion.
Genaro Rendón of San Antonio, co-director of the Southwest Workers Union, said the conference has excluded the voices of people who would emphasize economic issues rather than increasing militarization of the border.
"It's a runaround getting the voices and real participation of communities in this," he said.
An hour into the protest, one protester followed a counter-demonstrator north across 12th Street, saying in Spanish: "Out, out, out, you jerk." Once the pair reached the north side of the street, the counterdemonstrator pulled out a tear gas canister and pointed it at the protester, who ran back across the street.
The counterdemonstrator, holding an American flag on a wooden pole, declined to identify himself. He acknowledged wielding the tear gas, saying the protester had called him a racist.
"I'm not a racist," the man said. "I'm a patriot."
Rebecca Forest of Austin, among fewer than 10 counterdemonstrators, said that Americans need to realize that citizens are "being raped, murdered, stabbed and assaulted by people here illegally. Not all of them are coming here to work."
Earlier in the day, other protesters had gathered outside a fundraiser for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, rallying against what they called political corruption.
Common future, Perry? Does that mean you see Texas becoming more like Mexico?
There are only 4 states that border Mexico. How do they get 8?
Perry is wrong on this issue.
Perry is wrong on many issues. But what do you expect from a rino.
Mexican border states.
The Lord does seem to help those who help themselves.
As sombody else posted here the other day: "Perry is a dumbass, but he's our dumbass".
I will be hanged if I will claim him.
The 10 governor members of the Border Governors Conference, which is meeting in Austin today and Friday, are:
UNITED STATES
Arnold Schwarzenegger, California
Janet Napolitano, Arizona
Bill Richardson, New Mexico
Rick Perry, Texas
MEXICO
Eduardo Bours Castelo, Sonora
Eugenio Elorduy Walther, Baja
Jose Reyes Baeza Terrazas, Chihuahua
Humberto Moreira Valdes, Coahuila
Jose Natividad Gonzalez Paras, Nuevo Leon
Eugenio Hernandez Flores, Tamaulipas
Mexican states are irrelevant. The article is worded to start people accepting thay there is no border. There are 4 states and there at 6 states. There are NOT 10 states with common problems or goals.
ping
Mexican border states.
That is exactly how the propagandists want every one to think, mexican states are the same thing as united States. Total propaganda - mental conditioning
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