http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3675030.html

Feb. 21, 2006, 7:33PM
Perry and Mexican governor talk border violence


By LYNN BREZOSKY
Associated Press

HARLINGEN -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Mexican Gov. Eugenio Hernandez vowed today to fight drug violence on the international border as a "critical roadblock" to sustained long-term growth.

Hernandez Flores is governor of the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas, which includes the violence-plagued city of Nuevo Laredo. Several mayors of border cities in his state also attended the joint news conference with the governors.

Perry and Flores said they discussed joint economic development and border security during a private, hour-long, session.

"The governor and I both realize that these two issues are inextricably intertwined," Perry said. "Nothing is more important than the long-term health of our economies and the safety of our respective people. Obviously improving security along the border is one of those shared concerns."

Border violence, particularly in Nuevo Laredo, has been blamed on cartels warring over a smuggling hub where Mexican and U.S. highways converge.

In 2005, more than 170 people were killed in what city officials believe were drug-related slayings. Victims included a city councilman, a police chief who was just hours into his term, and at least 20 police officers. Earlier this month, a newspaper office was sprayed with gunfire.

Perry has said U.S. border security is a federal responsibility but that Texas cannot wait for Washington to direct more equipment and manpower toward the border.

Forty percent of Texas exports go to Mexico, Perry said.

"When you consider that Texas is the number one exporting state in the nation then it becomes very apparent how important Mexico is," he said.

On the Texas side of the Rio Grande, incidents included an armed standoff between state authorities and apparent drug smugglers wearing Mexican military-style uniforms in Hudspeth County, and the discovery of a crime organization's gun stockpile in Laredo.

On Feb. 9, Perry launched the state-directed "Operation Rio Grande," which involves shifting Texas Department of Public Safety officers and state equipment to the border. The program also made available DPS rapid response and SWAT teams as well as law enforcement aircraft, canine search teams, game wardens, and DPS narcotics, theft, and criminal intelligence investigators.

In 2005, Perry pledged about $10 million to help sheriffs in border counties as part of "Operation Linebacker," a program aimed at hiring additional deputies and funding overtime and other expenses.

He also has said he is working with several northern Mexican border governors to create a binational disaster response plan.

Mexican efforts against the violence have included the June launch of "Operation Safe Mexico," which involved sending the military to Nuevo Laredo and overhauling the city's police department.

Hernandez said that the Mexican government is fighting the cartels with more patrols, more technology and an ongoing internal reform of the criminal justice system.

"It is a hard fight but it's a fight we're committed to win," he said. "We have a lot of work to do."