Perry wants Obama to authorize 1K National Guard troops for border

Posted: Aug 21, 2009 05:46 PM PDT

EL PASO -- Governor Rick Perry said he was deeply troubled by drug cartel violence in Mexico, and Juarez in particular, and has asked President Barack Obama to authorize 1,000 National Guard troops for use in support of civilian law enforcement agencies along the border.

"As violence in northern Mexico continues, it is paramount that our international borders be secured to ensure the safety of our citizens and the security of our Homeland," Perry said in his letter to the President.

Perry said drug cartels have recruited Texas teenagers for operations on both sides of the border. He also stressed that cartels have resorted to use "terroristic" tactics and employ former military commandos and transnational gangs such as the Barrio Azteca, Texas Syndicate, Mara Salvatrucha, and the Mexican Mafia.

The murder of Border Patrol agent Robert Rosas in California along the border with Mexico was also pointed out by Perry in the letter. "He is one of 50 Border Patrol officers that have been targeted by gunfire [from Mexico] since 2008," said Perry.

Perry requested 600 troops be deployed with 24 border reconnaissance platoons that cover 20 locations along the Texas-Mexico border. Another 125 troops will support the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's maritime operations. The remainder of the troops will support other agencies in the state.

http://www.kvia.com/global/story.asp?s=10972740