U.S. Ambassador: Mexico cannot pay water debt in full

The News (Mexico City) ^ | June 23, 2002

[sarcasm]

Mexico doesn't have enough water to pay its debt to the United States, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Jeffrey Davidow admitted this week.

During a conference of governors of border states, held in Phoenix, Arizona late this week, Davidow said local leaders have to find a solution to the water shortage plaguing the region.

He added the U.S. would accept a partial payment on water Mexico owes its neighbor.

U.S. officials have come out recently saying Mexico needs to give more water from the Rio Bravo del Norte - known in the U.S. as the Rio Grande - to drought-stricken Texas farmers. A 1944 water treaty between Mexico and the U.S. stipulates the amount of water each nation must provide the other.

However, the drought has also affected Mexican farmers in the border state of Chihuahua, and Mexico says there is not enough water flowing for it to fulfill its debt. According to the treaty, Mexico must give U.S. farmers 1.7 billion cubic meters of water by Sept. 26.

Mexican officials are especially hesitant to turn over the water after the U.S. approved a 190 billion-dollar subsidy package for its farmers, which will make it even harder for under-funded Mexican farmers to compete.

Davidow's recognition that Mexico doesn't have enough water to pay the debt marks a change of position for the U.S., which was initially demanding full payment.

"It's not possible for Mexico to pay all of the debt right now," Davidow said. "But I think we should think together about how we can solve this problem in the future."

"It's obvious that both countries have to collaborate more in order to fix this problem that has lasted for 10 years," Davidow said.

However, the ambassador did not say whether or not he thought the 1944 treaty should be scrapped or modified. He added that Mexico could make a partial payment, and that it would be a "sign of good faith" if it turned over 10 percent of the water owed.

At the conference, Chihuahua Gov. Patricio Martinez said both sides should develop projects to optimize the use of the water.

"We need to invest in technology, modernization and education so that the water is used more efficiently by both sides," Martinez said. "If not, nothing will survive."

[B4Ranch]

Davidow's recognition that Mexico doesn't have enough water to pay the debt marks a change of position for the U.S., which was initially demanding full payment.

Now we want a steady supply of river rat burritos and some smooth salsa.

[Vidalia]

Any of you out there who are near the borders of any US state with Mexico have heard this over and over.
"If ,...pesos today so that my brothers and sisters can get over and we promise to pay you back many times over...

The only true word from this entire litany is that of "over".

For ye shall be fu*(gutted)*ed over if we get our whole family over here to spec your house, rip it off, and hock our new goodies... Then we get pleeeeenty cabbage, unlike our ancestors.......

The truthful and trustworthy paisanos are a piece of history, almost gone. They have been over-run by the bastards of drugs.

[meenie]

Ten percent sounds about right, considering who we are dealing with. "I give you my word" also has to be considered. It is too bad that Unitas Estades cannot look out for the interest of its citizens. Is it any wonder that we have no respect from these people? Rodney Dangerfield represents the United States image in Mexico.