Monday, November 12, 2007

Columnists Debate Candidness in US-Mexico Border Issues

By Allan Wall

Is it better for the public not to know about problems on the U.S.-Mexican border?

The problem of Mexican soldiers and pseudo-soldiers aiding drug smugglers crossing the border is well-documented. It has been admitted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and has been the subject of testimony to Congress.

The border incursions are carried out by men wearing the same uniforms, driving the same vehicles, and bearing the same weapons as the Mexican army.

And some have fired on U.S. agents.

So either there is corruption in the Mexican army, or the army can’t control its materiel stores, or it can’t control the territory – or all of the above.

Isn’t this a problem we should be concerned about?

My fellow American in Mexico, Nancy Conroy, editor of the Gringo Gazette, believes the less said about the problem the better.

In her recent article “Why Mexican and US Officials Downplay Border Incursions,â€