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 Editorials | Issues | September 2007 
Mexico Seeking Collaboration, Not US Handout, in Drug Fight
 Alfredo Corchado - The Dallas Morning News
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 |  | We're looking for security for our citizens. That is a concern shared by both governments.
- Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa |  | |
Mexico City – Mexico does not want a handout from the U.S. to take on drug traffickers, but rather a partner to pay a share of the cost to stem the tide of drugs and violence into American cities, including Dallas, Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa said Tuesday.
"We're not asking the United States for [financial] help," said Ms. Espinosa. "We're asking for collaboration. ... There is a political will and sense of urgency on the part of all those involved" in the negotiations.
Since March, the U.S. and Mexican governments have been discussing expanding U.S. assistance to Mexico to fight drug traffickers over possibly a two-year period. Beyond that, the two governments would probably form some sort of a permanent cooperation agreement.
In a rare meeting with foreign correspondents, Ms. Espinosa and Carlos Rico, the undersecretary for North American affairs, offered views on issues ranging from the current counternarcotics financial initiative to the thorny issue of illegal immigration.
Ms. Espinosa conceded that any migration agreement with the U.S. is a remote possibility. The current presidential campaign and President Bush's lame-duck status make it "very difficult to get anything done," she said.
This summer, the U.S. Senate failed to agree on an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws that would have legalized some 12 million illegal immigrants and included a guest-worker program.
"But we will continue to remain insistent with President Bush until his last day in office" on migration and other issues, Ms. Espinosa said.
Ms. Espinosa and Mr. Rico took issue with suggestions that Mexico has little initiative to stem the flow of illegal immigrants, who contribute nearly $20 billion in the form of remittances – one of the country's largest sources of foreign investment.
"We're losing our best people," said Mr. Rico, noting that migration now extends to some of the better educated.
Unlike illegal migration, both officials said, Mexican security and its impact on U.S. cities is winning allies with some of Mexico's traditional foes in Washington: hardcore conservatives.
The counternarcotics financial plan is aimed at "significantly" enhancing U.S. aid to bolster Mexico's telecommunications and its ability to monitor its airspace; strengthening programs aimed at training Mexico's police and polygraphers to weed out the country's corrupt federal police force; and providing law enforcement officials eavesdropping technologies that will enable them to take on drug traffickers equipped with advanced weapons, electronic monitoring systems and aircraft.
Some officials have said the aid package could reach about $1 billion over a two- to three-year period, though neither Ms. Espinosa nor Mr. Rico was willing to discuss details.
Security, Mr. Rico said, is an "issue where the erroneous perceptions" arising from illegal immigration can be cleared up. By working together, Mexico and the U.S. can help curtail the smuggling routes used to transport drugs north and powerful arms weapons south, he said.
"We're looking for security for our citizens," said Ms. Espinosa. "That is a concern shared by both governments."
acorchado@dallasnews.com |
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