Perry wants 1,000 troops to guard border
By Diana Washington Valdez / El Paso Times
Posted: 02/24/2009 03:37:13 PM MST


Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Katherine Cesinger, his deputy press secretary, walked toward a podium, where Perry spoke about the Texas Border Security Strategy. Perry was joined by several city and state officals at a news conference at the Chamizal National Memorial. (Ruben R. Ramirez / El Paso Times)
Video: Gov. Perry in El Paso

EL PASO - Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he wants 1,000 troops to help guard the Texas-Mexico border, and for the federal government to fund security issues closer to home than Iraq and Afghanistan, such as the menacing Mexican drug cartels and their collaborators.

"We're asking the (state) Legislature for $135 million for border security - to go after transnational gangs, for technology and aviation assets, and for 1,000 troops" Perry said at a news conference Tuesday at the Chamizal National Memorial.

"I don't care if they are military, National Guard or customs agents. We're very concerned that the federal government is not funding border security adequately. We must be ready for any contingency."

Former U.S. drug czar Barry McCaffrey, who also was at the news conference, said the U.S. federal government is spending $12 billion on Iraq and $2 billion on Afghanistan each month, "without taking into account what is happening in Mexico."

With the right infusion of money for Mexico to battle the cartels, Perry said "I believe this can be put to bed rather quickly."

Perry said he, too, is committed to protecting Juárez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz, who took refuge in El Paso after he and his family received death threats from a drug cartel.

On Tuesday, Reyes Ferriz's staff said the mayor was carrying out his normal duties in Juárez, and will continue to remove corrupt officers from the city's police force.
Other officials at the El Paso news conference included Mayor John Cook, state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, Texas Homeland Security Director Steve McCraw and El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen.

Shapleigh said he planned to have a news conference later Tuesday to respond to the governor's proposals.

McCaffrey, a retired Army general, said he is a friend of Mexico, and disagrees with others who say the Mexican government is a failed state.

Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at dvaldez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6140.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_11775650