Thread: Embassy Row

http://washingtontimes.com/world/200602 ... -1372r.htm

Embassy Row
By James Morrison
Published February 2, 2006

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State of the border

The U.S. ambassador to Mexico used the occasion of President Bush's State of the Union speech to reiterate U.S. concerns about illegal aliens, border violence and free trade.

"Americans want a secure border with open doors," Ambassador Antonio O. Garza said in a statement posted on the U.S. Embassy's Web site (mexico.usembassy.gov).

Mr. Bush, in his address Tuesday night, demanded "stronger immigration enforcement and border protection" coupled with a "humane guest-worker program that rejects amnesty" for illegal aliens.

He called for "a border that is capable of allowing the vast trade between our two countries at legal entry points and a border that allows Mexican workers to enter the United States to work legally in our economy."

Mr. Garza's statement follows reports of armed men dressed in Mexican army uniforms crossing into the United States to protect drug smugglers and of tunnels under the border near San Diego. In the past year, Mr. Garza has demanded that the Mexican government control violence on the Mexican side of the border that threatens towns in Texas.

He said he held "several very positive and ... constructive discussions" this week with officials in the Mexican government on ways both countries can cooperate on border issues.

Mr. Garza also cited remarks by Mexican President Vicente Fox, who referred to the "very complex, very broad" relations between the two countries and urged Americans and Mexicans "not to get lost in day-to-day events because the relationship is much more profound and strong."

The ambassador reminded Mexicans that U.S. demands for a secure border are not an attack on legal immigration.

"The truth is the United States derives much of its greatness from its tradition of welcoming foreigners to our shores, and Americans continue to welcome those who come to work in compliance with our laws," Mr. Garza said.

He noted that Mexican citizens are also victims of violence in border areas where drug gangs are fighting for control of smuggling routes into the United States.

"They want to see more done to fight criminals and break the chokehold that narco-traffickers and human smugglers have on our border region," he said.

Mr. Garza referred to Mr. Bush's criticism of protectionist pressures from some American business executives who oppose free trade.

The ambassador said, "It is only through free trade and democracy that economies can flourish, opportunities can be increased and strides can be taken toward moving people from poverty to hope."

Europe fears Iran

Europeans strongly support "limited military action" to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, said a survey released yesterday on the eve of a meeting of the U.N. atomic watchdog agency over Iran's nuclear program.

"Europeans are deeply concerned about the prospects of a nuclear-armed Iran," said Roberta Bonazzi, director of the European Foundation of Democracy, a partner of the Washington-based Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

Its survey of adults in Austria, Britain, France and Germany found that majorities fear that Iran's stated desire to develop nuclear energy is simply a cover for a secret weapons program.

On the question of a limited military strike by NATO, the survey found support from 74 percent of the French and 51 percent of Austrians. Pluralities of 49 percent of the British and 46 percent of the Germans surveyed also backed the military option.

"Majorities in all four countries [85 percent in Austria, 82 percent in Germany, 78 percent in France and 52 percent in Britain] believe Iran is resuming its nuclear research in order to develop nuclear weapons," the survey said.

The survey shows public support for U.S. and European demands that the International Atomic Energy Agency report Iran to the U.N. Security Council for sanctions at the agency's meeting today in Vienna, Austria.

•Call Embassy Row at 202/636-3297, fax 202/832-7278 or e-mail jmorrison@washingtontimes.com.

""Americans want a secure border with open doors," Ambassador Antonio O. Garza said in a statement posted on the U.S. Embassy's Web site (mexico.usembassy.gov). "

Sorry Jack you can't have a secure border with open doors thats just more Bush double talk from another one of his little puppets.