Press Releases 08
Congress Approves Merida Initiative
Statement
by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza
Mexico City, June 27, 2008 - “The U.S. Congress passed a
finalized supplemental budget bill that includes funding of
the Merida Initiative. This historic step empowers President
Bush to sign into law this important program to strengthen
cooperation between the United States and Mexico to fight
the drug trade and organized crime that impact both our nations.
“In 2007 President Calderon and President Bush jointly decided
that more had to be done to fight the traffic in illicit drugs
undermining society and destroying lives on both sides of
the border. The Calderon administration dedicated new resources,
and the brave men and women of Mexico’s civilian police forces
and military took the fight to the paid assassins of the narco-cartels.
“The Merida Initiative represents the collective effort of
the U.S. and Mexican executive and legislative branches, which
developed this initiative as representatives of the millions
of citizens of Mexico and the United States who want to defeat
organized crime and drug trafficking.
“Conceived of a mutual desire to work together to address
this problem, the Merida Initiative will provide resources
that Mexican law enforcement authorities identified as most
critical to boost their efforts in the fight against these
criminal organizations.
“The United States recognizes our shared responsibility for
the problem of drug trafficking, and our obligation to stand
shoulder to shoulder with Mexico in this fight. With the additional
resources provided by the Merida Initiative, Mexico and the
United States will build on our already successful security
cooperation and shared efforts against narcotrafficking. I
applaud Congress’s passage of this important program and look
forward to working with the government of Mexico to implement
it.” |
