Posted on 03/07/2009 8:35:53 AM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States is working to rush assistance to Mexico as it fights violent drug cartels, including equipment to help authorities track the narcotics mafia, according to the top US military officer.
"We're all working very hard to move the capabilities that are desirable to Mexico as quickly as we can," Admiral Mike Mullen told reporters by phone from his aircraft after holding talks in Mexico.
During his meetings with the country's military leadership, Mullen said he discussed how Washington could help in the battle against the powerful cartels, citing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) as a crucial element.
"ISR, that kind of capability is certainly a big part of it," Mullen said, using a term that can refer to manned surveillance aircraft as well as unmanned drones.
He said the emphasis would be on sharing intelligence "but in recognition that there are additional assets that could be brought to bear across the full ISR spectrum."
With last year's death toll from drug-related violence at 5,300 as well-financed cartels orchestrate a campaign of intimidation and kidnappings, the crisis over the border has become a serious national security concern for the United States.
The visit by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff underlined US concern over the escalating violence, which experts say is fed by easy access to guns and drug profits on the US side of the border.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
“Mexico is not just our neighbor. She is our good friend and a nation with whom we share a long border and shared responsibilities.”
Sure, they really offered to help us in Iraq after 9/11 - NOT!
I don’t care, this is in our best interest, we share a long border with them and their war is starting to spill into the United States. We need to defend ourselves. Doing nothing is not an option and will result in worse things in the future.
Check the history of Los Zetas.
“Shamelessly bumping my own thread Mexico is not our problem.
That country needs revolution. “
Mexico needs the 2nd amendment...
And we need a WALL!
speaking of zetas
Zetas hitman gets life in prison in Laredo
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2201419/posts
Yes, but you don’t understand that Mexico is corrupt from top to bottom, and we have been sending them all kinds of ‘assistance’ for their drug war for years and years and it has only gotten worse.
You cannot send a dollar or a piece of technical equipment to Mexico that it does not end up as graft. Period.
We need a wall...and we need to do like the good old days and annex their northern tier of states as a buffer area (without the welfare goodies for them somehow). Make ‘em into a big “reservation”.
The only reason we don’t have more drug related violence in the US is because the crime statistics here categorize as “gang violence” the same crimes which are called “drug violence” in Mexico.
The US drug market is the root of the problem.
“We need a wall...and we need to do like the good old days and annex their northern tier of states as a buffer area (without the welfare goodies for them somehow). Make ‘em into a big “reservation”.
With the flow of asylum seekers we will be seeing because of the war in Mexico, I imagine there will be ‘regugee camps’.
Wall it off...then worry about cleaning it up.
“La Mordida” I believe it is called. In short, graft is institutionalized.
You are right. American vice is making Mexico worse.
Let’s see now: we’re going to engage in Mexico while balancing the budget swiftly by slashing the military.
Spanking fresh from Iraq.
A few dozen big holes in the ground will help them to remember what they ate a week ago.
We cannot allow a failed country on our border.
“That country (Mexico) needs revolution.”
Sadly, I think you are right.
But when the smoke clears and the bodies are carted away, will Mexico have yet another bunch of thugs governing them?
We can "share intel" until Hell freezes over, but it is worthless if the host country is unable to make meaningful use of it.
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