Posted on 11/01/2006 3:53:00 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
U.S.-Mexico relations could remain paralyzed unless leaders of the two nations and Canada formalize a North American partnership — akin to the European Union — before the U.S. baby boomer retirement wave hits in the next eight years, a ranking Mexican diplomat said here Tuesday.
Enrique Berruga, Mexico's ambassador to the United Nations, shared his perspectives on the current and future U.S.-Mexico relationship at a panel discussion at the University of Texas at San Antonio Downtown Campus.
It was organized by the UTSA Mexico Center and the San Antonio campus of Mexico's National Autonomous University.
Noting that both countries depend on each other economically, Berruga urged leaders to see the big picture and put petty politics aside for the region's benefit.
Instead of putting up fences or walls, U.S. policy would be better served by investing more in Mexico so the country can do a better job of standing on its own, keeping its work force employed instead of watching it flee north, he said.
"We will be together forever and we need to make the best out of it," Berruga said.
Other panelists sounded similar themes, focusing in detail on economic and political aspects of the relationship.
Economist Mauricio González chipped away at what he called the myth of the negative impact of illegal immigration on the United States.
Believers of the myth, he noted, are correct on one point — undocumented immigrants do bring down national wages, but only by 2 percent at most.
But other accusations, that immigrants abuse public social services and further hurt the economy by not paying taxes, for example, are not true, said González, echoing numerous recent and past reports and studies.
He works for the San Antonio-based North American Development Bank — created as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement, signed in the Alamo City in 1992.
Economic cooperation between the two countries must go beyond the status quo, he insisted.
"NAFTA was a very important first step, but we need to start thinking outside the NAFTA box," González said.
Panelist Robert Rivard, editor of the Express-News and a former Newsweek correspondent in Latin America, spoke of the lingering impact of 9-6 — that is, Sept. 6, 2001, five days before the terrorist attacks, when the U.S. and Mexican governments were on the brink of a far-reaching immigration deal that has since become a pile of dusty paper.
There wasn't much he could do about it, but outgoing Mexican President Vicente Fox was reduced to more talk than action, proving unable to secure a treaty on immigration or move his domestic agenda through the Mexican congress.
Rivard held out a bit more hope for Felipe Calderón, who takes over the presidency Dec. 1.
Calderón is a more "seasoned politician" who should be better equipped to work with opposition parties, said Rivard, who spent two days with the candidate during the campaign.
"People of peace can't build walls between each other," Rivard said of the move to build nearly 700 miles of double-layer, high-tech fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border, signed into law by President Bush last week.
"It's a wall meant to corral Republican voters, not to keep out Mexican workers," he added.
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hrozemberg@express-news.net
People of peace don't enter their neighbors house without an invitation, ambassodor.
It's the typical Mexican attitude of "what's yours is mine" that all of us unfortunate enough to share a border with them are so accustomed to.
NAU Ping!
ping list, please.
We'd be better off to put them on our Immediate Targeting List. They are about as big a threat to us as Al Qaeda.
I got a better idea, instead of a partnership we engage in policy of expansion to account for their migration. Say we have 10 to 20 per cent of Mexico's population, so we get a matching amount of Mexican territory. That seems fair to me.
make their country a A-BOMB test site thats a good way to share any one who doesn/t glow to bright can come to AMERICA
In the words of Nancy Regan - "Just say no!"
The border must be secured by physical means, since mexico's gross hordes of violations are being perpetrated by real persons, not diplomatic abstractions. When the Mexicans get their own surly house in order the wall will no longer be an issue.
As the saying goes, "Pity the poor Mexican; so near the United States, so far from God."
These peple will never have anything but an empty bucket in spite of sitting on all the natural resources they could ever need.They live by the time honored Mordido and corruption is the way of life.
NAFTA need to be put in the shredder, How much more money does Mexico need after 12 years of the savior, NAFTA? Just think, Mexico has a Conservative Presidente. LOLOLOL This little creep will be just like V. Fox, wondering what the U.S. Can do for Mexico.
But, but it's just a conspiracy theory right? END SARCASM!
About 45% of the Mexican government's revenue comes from the PEMEX oil revenue. They are a very rich OPEC country that pisses away the money every year through the auspices of the socialists that run the country. Until they get rid of the socialism, they are a bad bet.
But, but it's just a conspiracy theory right? END SARCASM!
That's what some on this board would like us to believe. Funny, I don't see them around today.
Panelist Robert Rivard, editor of the Express-News and a former Newsweek correspondent in Latin America, spoke of the lingering impact of 9-6 — that is, Sept. 6, 2001, five days before the terrorist attacks, when the U.S. and Mexican governments were on the brink of a far-reaching immigration deal that has since become a pile of dusty paper.
HMMMM! Anybody know what this was about?
The little creep will be meeting with Bush on November 9th. I'll bet Felipe will be keeping an eye on our election results.
President Bush and President-Elect Calderon to Meet in Washington, D.C.
Mexico City, October 19, 2006
"On November 9, 2006, Mexican President-elect Felipe Calderon will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with U.S. President George Bush. The meeting will provide both leaders with the opportunity to strengthen our already vibrant bilateral relationship and to discuss ways of making both of our countries more secure and prosperous, given the many economic and security challenges we face together both in the region and in the world," said U.S. Ambassador Antonio O. Garza.
President Bush and President-Elect Calderon also will discuss ways of strengthening cooperation between our two countries on trade, economic growth, and competitiveness.
"As President Bush has said in the past, the United States and Mexico share a very special relationship. Our government looks forward to working closely with the government of Felipe Calderon," added Garza.
Calderone and Bush will be meetling only 2 days after the election> I wonder why not 2 days or even a week before the election. Calderone has already been to Canada denouncing the fence.
Presidents Bush, Fox Conclude State Visit
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010906-11.html
Remarks by President Bush and President Vicente Fox of Mexico to University of Toledo Faculty, Students and Community Groups
Savage Hall
University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
I found this recently:
Al Qaeda Leader: Materials Smuggled Across Border
Posted by TejanoJim
On News/Activism 11/03/2006 10:54:27 AM PST · 136 replies · 2,693+ views
KRGV ^ | Thursday, November 02, 2006
NEWSCHANNEL 5 investigation reveals what the feds don't want you to know. Suspected terrorists are hiding inside the U.S. and they got here by sneaking across the Mexican border. What we've been reporting for more than a year has been confirmed by a government report just released. (Click here to download the report.) And a brand new interview by Pakistani investigative reporter Hamid Mir is bringing in more information. Mir has interviewed some of America's most dangerous terrorist enemies. This time the Al Qaeda commander he talked to gave a grim warning that another attack on America is coming very...
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