|
 Gobernador Baeza Terrazas y Presidente Municipal Murguia Lardizabal, mil gracias por estar aquí con nosotros hoy. Minister Counselor David Donahue, Consul General Donna Blair, members of the press, honored guests, and members of the consulate community, it is with great pride that I join you today at this inaugural event for the new U.S. Consulate General complex in Ciudad Juarez. My congratulations go to all of you who are involved in this process. In particular, I would like to thank Consul General Blair for her tireless efforts to ensure that this new building becomes a model of efficiency, convenience and security for consular buildings around the world.
When completed, this new facility will be a shining example of the importance and strength of the United States-Mexico relationship. Mexico is our long-term friend and partner. Together we are working to advance democracy, to promote prosperity and development, and to maintain safe and secure borders that will benefit the citizens of both of our countries.
In fact, in just this month alone, Mexico and the United States will be engaged in several bilateral meetings during which we will seek resolution of many of the challenges we mutually face—and importantly, these very visible bilateral exchanges in March are only a small part of the everyday and constant interactions between the people of our two countries.
Last week, for example, in Brownsville, Texas, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and his Mexican counterpart, Secretary of the Interior Carlos Abascal, signed an Action Plan that calls for law enforcement authorities from both countries to work in concert to curb the tide of violence along our border. Under the provisions of the Plan, the United States and Mexico will jointly respond to cross-border shootings as they occur and apprehend fugitives trying to pass through the border area. This agreement, of course, is a great step forward for both of our countries as we try to work together to make our border region safe.
Also, as you may have heard, at the end of March, Presidents Bush and Fox, along with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, will gather in Mexico to advance the goals of the Security and Prosperity Partnership that the three governments formed in 2005. As part of our efforts to protect North America from external threats, to prevent and respond to crimes and violence within our region, and to streamline legitimate cross-border trade and travel in the region, the three leaders will discuss common border security strategies, a common approach to emergency responses, and cooperation in energy, transportation, intelligence, financial services, technology and other areas.
Right here in the State of Chihuahua, the United States and Mexico work closely together on law enforcement matters, on border security, on improving the health of our citizens, and on justice reform. For example, thanks to the strong leadership of Governor Reyes Baeza, a new code of criminal procedure has been submitted to the State Congress for consideration providing for a transparent, oral, adversarial criminal system. If enacted, the new law would be implemented in zones, starting with Ciudad Juarez. To assist in these very admirable efforts, our own government will begin a six-month intensive training effort this week with Chihuahua’s justice sector.
Ladies and gentleman, our message is clear: Mexico is a partner that we trust and a friend that we will continue to work with closely on our mutual challenges.
Since my appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico I have visited Ciudad Juarez three times—but as a Texan who grew up on the border and a former elected official from Texas, I have visited this area countless times. Each time I visit, I am astonished at how fast this city is growing, evolving, and accommodating the ever-changing border environment. I feel very at home in the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez area, and I think that Ciudad Juarez is a shining example of how Mexico has adapted to and welcomed the dynamic changes that are taking place in the global economy. This new Consulate building, in addition to ultimately making the consular functions of this Consulate more efficient and more secure, will also enhance the economy of this dynamic city by adding millions of dollars per year to the local economy during construction.
Thank you all for attending today’s inaugural event. I look forward to returning for the dedication of this excellent new complex in a few years.
|
