Thread: U.S. ambassador Garza lauds U.S.-Mexico ties

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Local news Wednesday, March 8, 2006

U.S. ambassador Garza lauds U.S.-Mexico ties

Louie Gilot
El Paso Times
Wednesday, March 8, 2006

JUAREZ -- U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza focused on U.S.-Mexico relations during his visit Tuesday to Juárez, where he led a groundbreaking ceremony on the site of the future new U.S. consulate.

Garza praised Mexico as the United States' "longtime partner and friend," a diplomatic line he has repeated since a border standoff in Hudspeth County in January became an international incident. That incident involved drug smugglers and uniformed and armed men who may or may not have been Mexican soldiers.

"Mexico is a partner that we trust and a friend we will continue to work with closely on our mutual challenges," Garza said.

Garza took a few questions from the press about drug-related violence on the border and said Mexican officials were doing their part in the fight against drug trafficking.

The construction of a new consulate on Paseo de la Victoria, near Ejercito Nacional, will inject $12.5 million in the Juárez economy, said Joseph Toussaint, the project director for the State Department's Overseas Buildings Operations. The consulate will employ 90 U.S. citizens and 150 Mexican citizens, Toussaint said.

Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, Chihuahua Gov. Jose Reyes Baeza and Juárez Mayor Hector Murguia.

Garza also announced Tuesday the gift of $1 million to four Mexican border cities to go toward treating patients with HIV and tuberculosis. Juárez organizations are expected to receive $85,000

Louis Gilot may be reached at lgilot@elpasotimes.com; 546-6131.

I just wonder, who will be working on the New Consulate. By Law, only Construction workers to be able to work on one. Is one with a Q clearance. Reason being, the possibility of Bugs placed during construction.