About 70 Mexican and U.S. officials will work on projects to combat lawlessness and organized crime
Operations started today in Mexico City for the Bilateral Monitoring Bureau of the Merida Initiative (Oficina Bilateral de Seguimiento-OBS), a group of about 70 Mexican and U.S. officials who will work jointly in the same venue for the exchange of information on projects pertaining to the fight against lawlessness and organized crime.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) announced the opening of this office, whose location was not disclosed for security reasons, and made clear that U.S. officials shall not engage in direct intelligence or operational work, consistent with laws defending the sovereignty of Mexico.
It explained that "follow-up to the announcement in March 2009 by Chancellor Patricia Espinosa, and U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, today began operations Bilateral Monitoring Bureau of the Merida Initiative."
The OBS was opened by the SRE Undersecretary for North America, Julian Ventura Valero, and the U.S. State Department Undersecretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, David Johnson.
In its first communiqué, the OBS highlighted “The OBS is the first exercise of this nature by both governments to co-ordinate the daily exchange of information between technical representatives of the both countries, in order to ensure full implementation of training programs and the transfer and procurement of equipment as called for under terms of the Mérida Imitiative.”
“The commencement of operations of the OBS reflects the level of confidence, strength and depth reached through bilateral relations to combat transnational organized crime, building on the principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust and respect for their respective jurisdictions.”
The communiqué stressed that "this novel mechanism of permanent consultations facilitate the implementation of the mandate from the most recent meeting of the High Level Group of the Merida Initiative, which was held on March 23, consisting of programs that include undermining the operational capabilities of criminal organizations, strengthening the institutions responsible for combating them, and consolidating a secure common border with socio-economic programs that contribute to the welfare of communities on both sides of the border.”
Mexico needs to turn over as much power and control to US agents as the US will accept. The reason they resist is Mexican power would loose the money, privelege,and ability to manipulate.This could be a great chance for the Mexican people if the Mexican aristocracy can not sabatoge the operation.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Anonymous (September 2, 2010 @ 11:40 AM)
ReplyDeleteWhat?????? What in the world are you talking about????? There's no aristocracy in Mexico, are you sure you're referring to Mexio, perhaps you mean a difference country.
Mexico has a constitution; there are no monarchs or aristocrats (nobles). Aristocrats go hand in hand with royals, not the gentry.
November 16, 2007
ReplyDeleteMexican President Felipe Calderón is locked in a valiant fight against narco-traffickers, proving his commitment by extraditing to U.S. courts and prisons powerful Mexican drug kingpins and politicians, as well as seizing large amounts of drugs and drug cash. He and President Bush recently announced the $1.4 billion "Mérida Initiative," a joint U.S.- Mexico program to further the fight. The plan has many anti-corruption safeguards and "end-use monitoring" provisions. It provides aircraft, equipment, software, and training that is badly needed by military, judicial, and law enforcement officials in Mexico. The initiative will improve the effectiveness of both governments in the battle against drug traffickers along the U.S.-Mexican border.
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The Mérida Initiative's bland name was chosen to avoid comparisons with "Plan Colombia" and to deny Calderón's opponents--such as López Obrador and other Hugo Chávez sympathizers--the chance to assert that the United States is attempting to diminish Mexico's sovereignty.
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The United States has a major stake in the success of the Calderón Administration. With $1.1 billion in daily bilateral trade,[7] Mexico is the United States' second largest trading partner and its fourth-largest oil supplier.[8] The total value of U.S. investment in Mexico exceeds $66 billion.[9] Turning a cold shoulder on the counter-narcotics issue would send the wrong signal to the new administration and the Mexican people.
López Obrador and Hugo Chávez would love to see the Merida Initiative defeated. They know that drug cartels and illicit drugs undermine stability in Mexico and weaken the United States. U.S. policymakers should expect opposition from the far left, including moveon.org, Chavista types, and Soros-funded supporters of drug legalization.
The Mérida Initiative is no panacea. There will be no lightning victory; drug cartels will fight back with characteristic ruthlessness; certain areas of cooperation will be thorny. The battle is on Mexico's turf; no U.S. drug enforcement agents or military boots should be on the ground. To guard against corruption and abuse, adequate benchmarks and safeguards for transparency and accountability must be included.
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http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2007/11/The-US-and-Mexico-Taking-the-Meacuterida-Initiative-Against-Narco-Terror
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Too bad Bush isnt still around. We would have been on the ground in mx cleaning up this situation a long time ago.
ReplyDeletejajajjajaa....no aristocracy in Mexico....what planet are you on...the money aristocracy sure does exist ...and so does racism...the taller and whiter you are, the more money you have, and the greater hand you have in running the country...ever heard the term "white Mexican"?...go to the richest city ,Monterrey and you will see, go to San Pedro, there are some king living gente there
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