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 Editorials | Opinions | January 2007 
Mexico's New 'Great Wall'
 Michael Werbowski - OhmyNews.com
On a promotional visit for his new film "Rocky Balboa" Sylvester Stallone, who embodies two of America's greatest and most beloved on-screen heroes, "Rocky" and "Rambo," opined on the 700-mile wall to be built along the Mexico-U.S. border. He declared in the local media that the scheme was "crazy" and "ridiculous." This is true. What is even more absurd, however, about all this is the fact that the two "dysfunctional democracies" are unable to control, let alone patrol, either side of their border.
The most basic role of any state is securing its borders: neither Mexico nor the U.S. have done this so far. So the migrants driven off their land and deprived of a livelihood in the "home country" continue to move northwards. And so the bedraggled and downtrodden human tide relentlessly, fearlessly pours across the Rio Grande seeking a better life and future.
As a backdrop to all this, Hollywood stars have shown compassion to the Mexican migrant's plight by adopting very progressive views on issues related to Mexico and the sensitive question of "border security." It is no state secret that many stars like Stallone support the legalization of immigrants. This is all fine. However, if an official or diplomatic envoy dares to comment publicly on the wall or on the related immigration issues around it he would most likely be promptly rebuked by his or her Mexican counterpart for meddling into the internal affairs of a sovereign country.
But Rocky can say what he likes. Do Stallone's views, however, really reflect those of the Mexican foreign ministry or that of the average American or maybe even some in the newly elected Democratic Congress? This is hard to say. What is evident is that in the past Mexican officials have not missed a chance to decry and denounce the building of the wall. This seemingly valiant stance is meant to display total solidarity with Mexican compatriots whose rights are trampled across the border. But does a somewhat feigned empathy address the misery and deprivation many Mexicans face at home which makes them flee to the north in the first place? No, it does not, in my view.
In his twilight years as president, George W. Bush, for his part, must at least look as if he is doing something about the borderless area between the two neighbors. Stallone, while taking a few punches at the border wall, has unwittingly drawn attention to the increasing militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border area.
Coming from a man like Rocky such overt criticism of the wall is certainly a big blow to Bush, who announced the plan in May of 2006. The wall has been compared to a "new" Berlin wall or to the Israeli barrier. This, however, is a fallacious comparison, as the border barrier keeps out an influx of migrant workers seeking a better life for themselves on the other side, not potential suicide bombers. Yet somehow for the United States, as for Israel, building the obstacle to keep out intruders is a vital matter of "national security."
The new Great wall or a 'war on drugs'?
Will Calderon take a different approach to the delicate and fraught issue of dealing with illegal border crossing trafficking than his predecessor Fox? Will he be able to stem the drug flow? For now it seems the answer is maybe.
On the one hand, the newly elected president has been unequivocal and outspoken on the issue of building a containment wall. His views were made clear in a speech made on Sept. 21, 2006 on the steps of the official presidential residence known as "Los Pinos." He stated: "We are worried ... about the actions that the United States is discussing concerning building a border wall and tightening restrictions on migrants."
Hence, Calderon opposes any attempts by the U.S. to regain control over its side of the border. Instead, in his declared "war on drugs," he seems to be seeking a military solution to the problem of the unstoppable migration from Mexico.
As the new year begins, Calderon has translated his words into action by announcing a second offensive (after his first anti-drug foray in his home state of Michoacan) by announcing "Operation Tijuana."
His main rivals, the Institutional Revolutionary Party, which ruled like a dynasty over the country for over 70 years called the move "late and delayed." The sending of 3,296 federal Mexican troops to the Tijuana border area will likely further militarize this lawless "no man's land." It might even result in border clashes between Mexican troops and U.S. troops assigned to defend this vast "borderless" region.
But if that is was it takes to secure the border then it might work. For Calderon's sake we wish him luck. Meanwhile,the newly elected president might call on the bravery and strength of a "Rocky" or "Rambo" to deal with the issue of illegal drug- and human-smuggling into the U.S. from Mexico. However, I doubt whether Sylvester Stallone would volunteer for the task if asked. |
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