Harper unveils anti-crime program as summit begins

Canwest News Service via National Post ^ | 2009-08-09 | Andrew Mayeda

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GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled a new program to help fight crime in the Americas as he arrived in Mexico on Sunday for a summit with U.S. President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

Through the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program, Canada will invest as much as $15-million a year in projects across the Americas that combat the illicit drug trade, corruption, human-trafficking and other regional problems.

Roughly half a million dollars of the program's annual total will go to Mexico to assist in its drug war. Drug-related violence has spiked in the country as rival cartels vie for control of the North American market.

With the aid of the United States and other international partners, Canada will provide training for 300 mid-level Mexican officers.

The program's funding was earmarked in last January's federal budget.

Security will be one of the issues on the agenda, along with the global recession, the swine-flu outbreak and climate change, as the three leaders meet over the next two days for the so-called Three Amigos Summit.

Harper is scheduled to meet Sunday with Calderon. The most contentious topic between the two is expected to be the Canadian government's recent decision to impose visas on all Mexican nationals entering Canada.

Mexican sources have told Canwest News Service that Calderon will press Harper to drop the visa restrictions, but at a briefing for reporters Friday, a spokesman for the prime minister said that did not appear to be in the cards.

In announcing last month that all Mexican nationals entering Canada would require visas, the Harper government pointed to an increasing number of bogus refugee claims from Mexico.

After meeting Calderon, Harper will attend a working dinner with Obama and the Mexican president.

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Before commenting, please read the whole of the linked article, which include reference to issues to be raised at a separate meeting with Obama at the White House.

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[Tarpon]

They miss(leave out ?) the main cause for violence in the America’s The Joker’s pal Hugo Chavez.

I don’t see anything to combat Hugo Chavez, his gun runners and drug dealers.

Did I miss the main cause of the violence, Hugo Chavez?

[fanfan]

[Candor7]

Harper i s doing exactly what is right by requiring visas for exicans coming to Canada. Its a good thug filter.Canadians should also be required to get Mexican visas before travel there, its a dangerous place.

What is quite interesting is Harpers trip to Panama.Free Trade with Panama. Excelent. Panama is the Swiss style Bank Mecca of the Western hemisphere. One can open a bank/investment account there , no questions asked, numbered accounts, the works.Harper is opening a grand door for Canadian investors.