http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/89076.php

Border violence could jeopardize trade and immigration reform

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DENVER - U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Antonio Garza Jr. warned Tuesday that progress on immigration reform, trade and other issues facing both nations could be compromised if Mexico is unable to control the drug wars along its border.

"The longer that violence continues, the tougher it becomes for many Americans to talk about Mexicans as trusted partners with mutual interests," he said in a speech at the University of Denver's Graduate School of International Studies. "An aggressive response to border violence is one way to help avoid talk of building walls when we are all better served by building bridges."

Garza also described Mexico as a leading democracy and an economic powerhouse in Latin America, but he said he ordered the temporary closure of the American consulate in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, to ensure the safety of Americans there after drug feuds have led to several killings in recent months.

"Some have said that I ordered the shutdown (in Nuevo Laredo) to punish the Mexican government for its failure to control violence in the region," Garza said as he accepted the school's Distinguished Diplomat Award. "And in a sense that's true ... and I've been clear, my primary responsibility as ambassador is the safety of United States' citizens, and I shouldn't and I won't hesitate to take action when they are at risk."

The ambassador has requested that the State Department this year issue three travel advisories warning Americans visiting Mexico.