Thread: House Vote Squeezes Mexico

http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/state ... 35,00.html

House vote squeezes Mexico
Threat to cut off U.S. aid tied to extraditing suspects in cop killings

By M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News
June 29, 2005

WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives sent a stern message to Mexico on Tuesday night, voting to block $66 million in U.S. aid if the country does not extradite suspected cop-killers without strings attached.

Angered by the killing of Denver Police Detective Donald Young, the House voted 327-98 to approve an amendment offered by Rep. Bob Beauprez, R-Arvada, to a foreign operations spending bill.

It calls for cutting off U.S. aid to any country that fails to extradite suspects in the killing of federal, state or local law enforcement officers.

Beauprez said it applies to Mexico because, based on a ruling of the country's supreme court, it will not extradite suspects if they could face the death penalty or life without possibility of parole in the United States.

Beauprez is upset that Mexico's restrictions forced prosecutors to avoid first-degree murder charges against Raul Gomez-Garcia, who is being held in a Mexican prison in connection with the May 8 killing of Young.

Instead, Gomez-Garcia was charged with second-degree murder in Young's death, and attempted first-degree murder of Denver police Detective John "Jack" Bishop. They were working off-duty but in uniform at a baptismal party May 8 when they were shot.

"A 3-1 margin sends a pretty clear message - that's not a partisan vote," Beauprez said after his victory. "This is not an anti-Mexico vote. It's simply a statement about living within the boundaries of your extradition treaties.

"I think the House said very loudly tonight, when you have something as egregious as a murder of a police officer, send them home so justice can be served."

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, a Democrat, has been working with U.S. and Mexican officials to seek Gomez-Garcia's extradition.

Mexican officials have said they are cooperating, but that it could take one to three years before they work through their internal processes and decide whether to extradite Gomez-Garcia.

A spokeswoman for Morrissey could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.

On the day Beauprez announced his legislation earlier this month, Morrissey sent a strongly worded letter to members of the Colorado congressional delegation raising "serious concerns" that statements appearing to pressure Mexican officials could hamper extradition efforts.

"Comments that appear disrespectful of Mexican law or appear to be attempts to pressure Mexican officials in some way are not helpful," Morrissey wrote.

Some other Democrats also criticized Beauprez's statement in a Rocky Mountain News interview about the possible one- to three- year delay: "I've vacationed in Mexico before. I know exactly what Mexican time is."

Beauprez later apologized for his choice of words.

One of Beauprez's Republican colleagues, Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., expressed strong opposition before Tuesday night's vote, calling the amendment "shortsighted" and counterproductive.

That's because much of the U.S. aid goes to Mexican law enforcement and drug-interdiction efforts to stem the flow of narcotics across the U.S.-Mexican border.

"(It is) based on the wrong assumption that U.S. foreign assistance to Mexico is only in Mexico's national interest," Kolbe said. "The funding (Beauprez is) prohibiting is in the United States' interest. All of these funds are essential to the U.S. national interest."

Beauprez spokesman Jordan Stoick called the argument ironic.

"The congressman believes that bringing cop-killers to justice is a higher priority," Stoick said. "It's cruelly ironic that this money is used to assist Mexican law enforcement. We're essentially subsidizing their denial of justice."

The vote included an unusual split in Colorado's congressional delegation after Rep. John Salazar, a Manassa Democrat, initially voted "no" but switched at the last minute to join Republican Reps. Beauprez, Joel Hefley, Marilyn Musgrave and Tom Tancredo in the "yes" column. The delegation's other two Democrats, Reps. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, and Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs, were opposed.

"He made a procedural mistake and voted 'no,' and he wanted to make sure people know how he stands on the issue and voted 'yes,' " Salazar spokeswoman Nayyera Haq said.

Salazar, who represents a Republican-leaning district, was attacked on immigration-related issues during his 2002 election campaign. He has often voted with the GOP majority during his first six months in office.

"He firmly believes we want to bring justice and make sure cop-killers don't go free," Haq said. "If we have to force their hand to bring this guy to justice, that's what we have to do."

Mexican officials have said they are cooperating, but that it could take one to three years before they work through their internal processes and decide whether to extradite Gomez-Garcia.

Our House is cooperating, but that it could take one to three years before they work through their internal processes and decide whether to write a check.

I say cut off all adi to them anyways, since we are paying to take care of their citizens.

Front Page http://www.alipac.us/article-506--0-0.html

Don't let Bob Beuaprez fool any of you. He wants amnesty in the form of Bush's guest worker program...he also told me he will vote FOR Cafta and the whole Colorado delegation voted against a type of World Bank loan for China paid for with our tax dollars. ONLY Beauprez voted for it!

I voted for this turn coat twice and he only is doing this to look tough on immigration! He wants to be Colorado's next governor. Hee has lost my support and I will back Holtzman!

Bob Beauprez of the 7th Colorado is no Tancredo!

I believe this case in Denver sends a CLEAR AND PRESENT WARNING to Americans if they care about their lives. If you are killed by an illegal alien who flees back to Mexico, then your family will not receive American Justice.

Any "Mexican Process" that takes 1 to 3 years to extradite a cop killer, a baby killer, a woman killer, a man killer that faces life imprisonment or the death penalty under American Law or that requires a change in the charges in order to extradite the SOB, is unfair to the family, impedes the perpetrators right to a "speedy trial", and defies our system of laws and justice.

Our society is too busy with too many responsibilities to have to worry about this kind of crap.

I doubt seriously that the man will ever be extradited.

I doubt seriously that Mexico ever intends to return this man to the United States.

I believe he will escape before they extradite him.

SO....cut their aid. Lets keep our money. I don't know why we are sending money to Mexico to control their drug trade spilling onto our soils. I would not expect Mexico to pay to control ours spilling onto them.

I expect for our borders to be closed, fully secured, so that only those with legitimate travel cross the border; and are documented.

I expect so much.

AND FURTHERMORE:

The American Expectation of justice regarding illegal aliens in the United States died the minute they crossed the border.

So....just stop the border crossings.

Veeeeery simple.

Problem Solved.