Mexican army kills 15 gunmen ahead of Obama visit

Mexican soldiers killed 15 gunmen yesterday in the remote mountains of Guerrero state on the Pacific coast, the army reported today. One soldier also died in the shootout in the drug-trafficking region.

President Obama is in Mexico to discuss the drug violence with President Felipe Calderon. He has pledge to try to help stem the flow of weapons from the United States.

Presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama also tell Mexican officials that he has asked Congress for money for Black Hawk helicopters to aid Mexico in the drug fight. He will also announce his intention to support an inter-American weapons treaty that former President Bill Clinton signed in 1997 but the Senate never ratified. Sticking points included an assault-weapons ban, cross-border trucking and immigration.

CNN says don't expect a deal that bans assault weapons.

Obama is scheduled to hold a news conference this afternoon. Our colleagues at The Oval will be covering it live.

(Presidents Obama and Calderon walking in Mexico City. Photo by Gregory Bull.)

Posted at 03:43 PM/ET, April 16, 2009

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