Thread: Governor Says Mexican Initiatives Expected to Make Border Sa

http://www.kpho.com/Global/story.asp?S=4647984&nav=23Ku


Governor Says Mexican Initiatives Expected to Make Border Safer



PHOENIX (AP) -- Four Mexican initiatives will help make the border between the United States and Mexico safer, Gov. Janet Napolitano said Friday.

Napolitano met with Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza, Mexico's federal secretary of public safety, in Phoenix to discuss the four initiatives and how Arizona, the busiest illegal entry point in the county, can work with Mexico to stem violence and human and drug smuggling along the border.

The initiatives include reducing the amount of pseudoephedrine -- a major ingredient in producing methamphetamine -- allowed into Mexico from 300 to 80 tons, establishing five checkpoints on federal highways leading from Mexico to Arizona, requiring Mexicans to obtain special identification for social services in Mexico, and requiring all vehicles that are re-registered after sale to have a computer chip installed to track and trace its movements.

Mexico imported about 51 tons of pseudoephedrine in 1999, mainly for use in cold medicines, but imports have soared in recent years as methamphetamine has increased in popularity.

"These are very impressive efforts," Napolitano said. "We're very happy to hear about these developments."

Icaza met with Napolitano at the request of Mexican President Vicente Fox to further strengthen the partnership between Mexico and Arizona, said Pati Urias, a spokeswoman for the governor.

Arizona already has an agreement with the Mexican state of Sonora to share information on suspected criminals and stolen vehicles, and to provide enhanced law enforcement presence on the border in addition to training Mexican and Arizonan officers to recognize fraudulent identification cards and government documents.

Icaza said his government is focusing its efforts on fighting organized crime, the cause of much violence in the country. He said his government's efforts, however, can't do the job alone.

"This is a shared responsibility," he said. "We have to get our efforts, resources and determination together to really build up a secure border and solve these problems."

By working together, the two governments can reduce violence and possibly stem the tide of illegal immigrants to the United States, Napolitano said.

"In the Western hemisphere, illegal immigrants and drugs flow north, and guns and money flow south," she said. "As he (Icaza) focuses on syndicates, and as we in Arizona focus on the money ... you do disrupt the flow and you do start having an impact on the ground."

Icaza met with Napolitano at the request of Mexican President Vicente Fox to further strengthen the partnership between Mexico and Arizona, said Pati Urias, a spokeswoman for the governor.

Isn't that special?

By working together, the two governments can reduce violence and possibly stem the tide of illegal immigrants to the United States, Napolitano said.

Now we understand why she waffles so much - she's special friends! with these nice gentlemen. I know they have her best interests at heart. Now let's all close our eyes, and make a BIIIIG WISH. Turn around three times and look into the magic looking glass.

Opps - Arizona's GONE! Now how did that happen!