Thread: Texas Republicans wary of Bush's plans for Mexico

May 15, 2008, 11:11PM
Texas Republicans wary of Bush's plans for Mexico


By RICHARD S. DUNHAM and STEWART M. POWELL
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — President Bush's attempt to win $560 million in aid this year to assist Mexico's anti-narcotics efforts has run into a rebellion from some Texas Republicans worried about corruption, inefficiency and now defections among Mexican police officials.

Wednesday's disclosure that three Mexican police chiefs are seeking asylum in the United States prompted the Texans to push Thursday for congressional hearings on the bloody border war among Mexico's drug cartels and a reassessment of U.S. anti-drug assistance to the country.

"Our first priority must be to secure our own border and equip our own personnel before we even discuss sending one nickel to the corrupt Mexican government," said Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston.

Bush has asked Congress to approve emergency assistance for the Merida Initiative, the first installment of a three-year, $1.4 billion project to send American equipment and training to Mexican security forces battling powerful drug cartels.

But Texas lawmakers from both parties have balked at supplying the Mexican government with equipment that they say U.S. law enforcement agencies lack. And congressional Democratic leaders, eager to hand Bush yet another legislative setback, are likely to embrace the Texans' efforts.


$100 million for U.S.
Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a plan by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, to insert $100 million for domestic law enforcement personnel into a spending bill currently working its way through Congress. The money is to be used for local law enforcement along the border and in areas of heavy drug trafficking.

Hutchison has withheld her support for Bush's proposal, saying she would back the initiative only if "there was also a major increase in funding for domestic law enforcement and border sheriffs."

In the House, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Humble, is pushing to divert to U.S. law agencies half of the entire $1.4 billion proposed by Bush.

Poe said he was motivated by reports of Mexican corruption, including that of a police commander being found with $2.4 million in his car and Mexico's one-time drug czar being convicted in the late-1990s of taking bribes.

Culberson, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, would cut off Mexican aid completely.

"What's most maddening to me is the answer is so easy: Help our own law enforcement officers do their job," he said. "Quit obsessing with how to placate Mexico and focus on protecting America at our border."

The continuing drug-related violence along the Texas-Mexico border — combined with the assassinations of senior Mexican law officials and the disclosure of the defections of the three police chiefs — led Texas Sen. John Cornyn to suggest a Capitol Hill probe of the situation.

"We need to have an investigation, essentially, and hearings in Congress about how best to help our Mexican neighbors combat the cartels," the San Antonio Republican said in a conference call with reporters. "Because frankly, it's not just in their interest. It's in our interest, as well."


'Help them in this fight'
While Cornyn said he would push for additional assistance to U.S. law enforcement personnel, he said that some aid to Mexico is needed, too:

"It's important that we provide assistance to the Mexican government as they request us to help them in this fight."

In Mexico City, the American flag flew at half-staff at the U.S. Embassy Thursday, partly to honor the slain Mexican police officers and soldiers.

Underscoring Bush's support for the Mexican government, U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza said, " Mexico has lost too many heroes in the fight against criminals and drug cartels."

On a day commemorated in the United States as Peace Officers Memorial Day, Garza praised the slain Mexican agents along with those killed in the United States.

"These brave men and women inspire us by their sacrifice," he said, "and commitment to sustain free, peaceful and democratic societies"

Dudley Althaus contributed to this article from Mexico City.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5784172.html

Our first priority must be to secure our own border and equip our own personnel before we even discuss sending one nickel to the corrupt Mexican government," said Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston.

But Texas lawmakers from both parties have balked at supplying the Mexican government with equipment that they say U.S. law enforcement agencies lack. And congressional Democratic leaders, eager to hand Bush yet another legislative setback, are likely to embrace the Texans' efforts.

Poe said he was motivated by reports of Mexican corruption, including that of a police commander being found with $2.4 million in his car and Mexico's one-time drug czar being convicted in the late-1990s of taking bribes.

"What's most maddening to me is the answer is so easy: Help our own law enforcement officers do their job," he said. "Quit obsessing with how to placate Mexico and focus on protecting America at our border."

SMART POLITICIANS!!!!

In Mexico City, the American flag flew at half-staff at the U.S. Embassy Thursday, partly to honor the slain Mexican police officers and soldiers.

Why was the United States flag glown at half mast for foreign nationals--is that normal procedure?

Is Bush an honorary citizen of Mexico?

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

Abraham Lincoln

Finally, some men of courage in Texas.

Let's arm our own border patrol with more men and better weapons before we help Mexico with more money. The money never seems to help much because the corrupt leaders take it for themselves. Or use it to protect the drug cartels.

better yet... boot our corrupt politicians out of office.... they are the problem

the Illegal Aliens do what the US Government lets / Wants them to do

Bush's lap dog, Senator KAMNESTY, has added $100,000,000 for "our" Border Law Enforcement Organizations to "smooooooth" the way for the $1,500,000,000 to be sent to the CORRUPT mexican government! Of course the mexican government will "match" what we "give" them, we should not give them anything that needs to be "MATCHED"

WOW finally someone is getting it, helllllooooo the rest of you politicians should pay attention here!! NO MORE MONEY FOR MEXICO, AMERICA FIRST...STUPIDS!!!

Added to Homepage:
http://www.alipac.us/article-3193--0-0.html

Finally some sensible politicians, GIVE our border the money it needs before wasting on CORRUPT Mexico