Mexico Refuses to Bend to U.S. on Iraq

Reuters ^ | February 22, 2003

[sarcasm]

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - In defiance of the United States and Spain, U.N. Security Council member Mexico vowed on Saturday to maintain its opposition to an attack on Iraq.

``I want to reiterate that Mexico's position has been and will be very clear. It will exclusively serve our interests, the interests of the Mexicans and no-one else,'' said Interior Minister Santiago Creel.

Mexico, which has a porous 2,000-mile border with the United States, was cooperating closely in the fight against terrorism but would chart its own course in the Iraq crisis, he told reporters.

Mexico has called for U.N. weapons inspectors in Iraq to be given more time to carry out their mission.

``That is going to be the position we will assume. In matters of internal security: total solidarity against terrorism, total proximity with our northern neighbor,'' Creel said. ``And in international forums: our principles, our traditions and above all, Mexico's peaceful vocation.''

His comments came after a plea by the U.S. ambassador for Mexico to prove its friendship to the United States, the recipient of almost 90 percent of Mexico's exports.

The United States and countries supporting it are to submit a proposed resolution to the Security Council early next week declaring Iraq is not complying with U.N. disarmament demands.

The resolution is expected to carry a threat of military action if Iraq does not comply quickly.

U.N. diplomats say the votes of non-permanent Security Council members like Mexico are key because Washington wants to win the minimum nine votes needed in the council for adoption of the resolution and then challenge Russia, China or France to use their powers of veto to kill it.

AZNAR FAILS

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, one of the staunchest U.S. allies in the Iraq crisis, failed to convince Mexican President Vicente Fox to back the resolution during a visit to Mexico on Thursday.

Fox, a former Coca-Cola executive who was once close to President Bush, released a short statement after that meeting which feel well short of offering support.

In a breach of diplomatic dress code, the Mexican president received Aznar for talks at his official residence wearing a black leather jacket and open-necked shirt -- a signal to the Spanish leader that Fox is in dissent.

Mexico is upset at the United States' lack of interest in talks to legalize the status of millions of undocumented Mexicans in the United States.

The immigration issue has been the cornerstone of a Mexican bid to align itself closer with the United States, but it fell of the agenda because of U.S. concerns about security after the Sept. 11 attacks on American cities.

Mexico now feels spurned and believes it has little to lose politically by turning its back on Washington, analysts say.

``I think perhaps Mexico may be at the point where it says, 'We are not going to get what we want out of the United States anyway, so there will not be such a high prices to pay,''' said Delal Baer of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Mexican newspapers on Saturday quoted U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza as asking for Mexican diplomatic help. ``The real test of (a) special relationship is helping each other in difficult times,'' Garza was quoted as saying.

In a veiled threat, he warned that an immigration deal with the United States ``could become impossible'' in Congress if Mexico did not back Washington over Iraq.

[T Minus Four]

That does it, no more transplant organs for Mexican nationals.

[TankerKC]

In Mexico women commonly have 20+ babies......

Commonly? Where did you read this. I'd be interested to see how someone came up with that.

Mexicans now outnumber blacks in the US.

Same question. Sources?

[07055]

Mexicans now outnumber blacks in the US.

Same question. Sources?

I believe that *Hispanics* now outnumber blacks in the US---not Mexicans.

However, Mexicans are the largest hispanic group in the US.

[GalvestonGal.com]

I nearly dropped my coffee cup this morning listening to Fox News and saw the list of "Appeasers". Mexico!!! up there with France, et al.

Oh woe is me. I do business with Mexico every day sending tourists to health spas. I was in Mexico during 911. They were devastated about our attack. I saw the chaos at the Mexico City airport with the border closed and tourist stranded.

I am shocked that Mexico has taken this position. Personally this is terrible for me. My first reaction was to fire off scathing emails to the spa owners saying I was jerking every one of the Mexican spas off of my website.

God, then how am I going to even pay for my Direct TV and DSL, much less my mortgage. I have been quite clear with my friends not to send me any of those mis-guided emails about peace protests because they are backed by haters of the U.S. and the prostests in my mind are like giving aid and comfort to Saddam.

What am I supposed to do? I am quick to boycott enemies of the United States. I've protested Clinton when I knew he was a traitor and a rapist.

I am in great distress. I have always considered Mexico mi amigo. Yeah, the border is a mess, we can put soldiers elbow to elbow to stop illegals for that matter. But talk about a mess concerning our legal trade.

We have millions of tourists, retirees, professionals,- my mind boggles at the amount of commerce - personal and professional that goes on with Mexico.

What am I to do? It may not even matter what I do. I could have customers boycotting my service because the spas are in Mexico and now Mexico is on the wrong side of the angels.

What does a good citizen do?

[geedee]

Mexico now feels spurned and believes it has little to lose politically by turning its back on Washington, analysts say.

I bet a few FReepers can prove 'ol Vicente's wrong. Mexico, like the rest of the world, doesn't understand the level of our determination.

[Cardenas]

As a token of appreciation towards President George W. Bush, Mexican President Vicente Fox accused the United States at the International Court of Justice in The Hague alleging violations of the rights of 30 Mexican murderers condemned to death by our courts for heinous crimes committed in United States. After demonstrating an outrageous disrespect for our laws and the judicial system, President Fox assumed the responsibility for protecting those murderers. Therefore, it should also be the responsibility of President Fox and the government of Mexico to assume the burden of properly compensating the families of the victims of the crimes committed by those Mexican nationals regardless if they were here legally or illegally.

Another important matter to be resolved is the use of our welfare and medical services by illegal aliens who are severely burdening our hospitals and medical resources. Since it is a dereliction of the Mexican government to fail in caring for its own people, the Mexican government should therefore, reimburse those huge unpaid bills incurred by Mexican nationals while living illegally in the United States.

[RonF]

I understand your comments about the effect of illegal workers on American employment. My point was that while the stereotype of illegal Mexican immigrants seems often to be people that come over to go on welfare, all the ones I see are working.

[McGavin999]

As bad as all this is, there is one good thing to come out of it. We are finding out just who our friends are and when this is over, we will not forget.

[Black Agnes]

Illegals can't get welfare? Where'd you hear that? Most of the ones in my neighborhood double dipped. They'd work jobs for $4/hr under the table (not too shabby if you dont' have any taxes taken out ever) and then get welfare/food stamps/AFDC too. The cash gets sent home to Mexico and out of circulation in the community. So, the short answer is yes, they're working, jobs that American's probably won't work for $4/hr...BUT they're also getting welfare!

[Dog Gone]

I guess I don't believe this Reuters article. I don't believe Mexico will vote against the new resolution.

They may be trying to pull a Turkey and see what they can get for their vote, but we don't need their vote like we needed Turkish bases.

They'll vote with us. Watch.

[justshe]

BTTT!

[GalvestonGal.com]

"Why is our neighbor to the south, Mexico, refusing to support the United States on Iraq at the United Nations? Could Mexico wind up casting the deciding vote against military action? We'll have a No Spin report. "

The above is from O'Reilly's webpage. I watched the re-run version and I thought it was a balanced assesment. The Mexican leadership (Vincente Fox) is PO'd about the open borders agenda and is pushing their weight around in a show of independence.

Meanwhile, see my above post, I'm in the Mexican tourism business and I'm pacing around, powerless to do anything. Customers are going to do what they are going to do and governments are kicking this soccer ball down this field as it rolls to it's inevitable goal (taking out Saddam).

I guess to continue this metaphor, the ball is being kicked back and forth, but who is going to be on our winning team? Right now, I could be the ball. The ball is all of the people whose life and livlihood ride on this winning point.

I have been able to be rather hypothetical and theoretical and a fan with an opinion on most of these war/games, but now, good Lord, I'm invested in the outcome.

I talked to a sage "our man in Mexico" tonight and he can't believe Mexico would actually vote against our resolution. He can believe they might abstain to push us some more, but not vote against us.

I said, we've seen so many "This can't be happening!" events that I can actually believe Mexico would do this disasterous deed.

Like I asked before. Any suggestions on anything I can do to be effective? Email the Mexican Consulate in Houston? And say what? AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

[Paulus Invictus]

You struck oil! (and are absolutely right. That's the same reason the Russians are balking on support.)

[Centurion2000]

``I want to reiterate that Mexico's position has been and will be very clear. It will exclusively serve our interests, the interests of the Mexicans and no-one else,'' said Interior Minister Santiago Creel.

Fine, then these little sh*ts across the border better make a peep when we start acting this way.

[Dog Gone]

If history is any guide, the Mexican politicians will resent the heck out of it, but vote in the end with the US.

The one thing that has to weigh on everyone's minds, including the Mexicans and French, is that the US is going into Iraq regardless.

So why go on record as siding with the losing side when it won't make a darn bit of difference to the outcome?