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Ciudad Juarez, February 3, 2005 - “Today I am pleased to announce that the U.S. government is committing five million dollars over four years to programs in Chihuahua that advance justice reform and assist crime victims,” U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza said. “Our strong cooperation on law enforcement is essential because it enables us to carry out our most important responsibility as public servants --ensuring the safety and well-being of both Mexican and American citizens.”
Ambassador Garza spoke at a press conference after meeting with Chihuahua’s Governor Jose Reyes Baeza Terrazas during a two-day visit to Ciudad Juarez.
“It is along the U.S.-Mexico border where our common interests are most sharply evident and most closely shared,” the Ambassador said. He recognized Governor Reyes-Baeza’s strong public commitment to improve the administration of justice in his state and said the U.S. would provide cooperative support to improve investigations, assist victims and advance justice reforms.
Expressing his concern about the unsolved murders of women in Ciudad Juarez, Ambassador Garza said, “people on both sides of the border are deeply concerned.” He added that part of the U.S. assistance being provided will facilitate legal assistance and provide mental health services to help with the anguish and trauma suffered by victims’ families.
An estimated $5 million over four years will be provided by the U.S. government through its Agency for International Development (USAID) to support justice reform, including training, technical assistance and professional exchanges for state prosecutors, judges and defense attorneys. The Ambassador said Chihuahua citizens “will decide the specific path and timing of any reform, but I want them to know that many people in the United States stand in solidarity with this cause.”
The Ambassador attended a Border Liaison meeting between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez officials, along with the Foreign Relations Undersecretary for North America Geronimo Gutierrez. On February 2, he took part in the inauguration of a partnership between the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) and the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez to fight tuberculosis.
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REMARKS BY U.S. AMBASSADOR TO MEXICO, TONY GARZA,
AT OPENING OF PRESS CONFERENCE WITH CHIHUAHUA STATE GOVERNOR
Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico February 3, 2005
I’ve had an excellent meeting with Governor Reyes- Baeza. It is along the U.S.-Mexico border where our common interests are most sharply evident and most closely shared.
We’re honored to be cooperating with the Governor and his team to work on several important issues that are clearly in the interest of both Mexico and the United States, and key to ensuring a sound and growing economy in Chihuahua and the border region.
Our strong cooperation on law enforcement and border safety is clearly essential because it enables us to carry out our most important responsibility as public servants -- ensuring the safety and well-being of both Mexican and American citizens. We are also working together to improve public health services and educational opportunity in the border region.
I want to make a special mention of my appreciation for the Governor’s strong public commitment to improve the administration of justice in his state. As you know, many people on both sides of the border are deeply concerned about the unsolved murders of women in Ciudad Juarez, and that has raised interest more broadly and a certain sense of urgency about the importance of justice reform.
Obviously, Chihuahua and its citizens will decide the specific path and timing of any reform. But I want them to know that many, many people in the United States both inside and outside of government who stand in solidarity with this cause.
Today, I am pleased to announce that the U.S. government is committing a total of $5 million dollars over the next four years for a range of cooperative programs in Chihuahua to advance justice reform and victims’ assistance. These initiatives will strengthen cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico and help improve capacity to investigate and prosecute these and other crimes.
I will mention a couple of examples. -- Through our U.S. and Mexico university partnership program launched in 2001 by Presidents Bush and Fox, we are supporting the establishment of long-term and advanced degree programs at Chihuahua academic institutions in the areas of forensic science and mental health services. -- Together with local university and NGO partners, we will establish a legal aid clinic designed to provide greater information and legal counsel to crime victims, along with mental health services to help ameliorate the suffering and trauma felt by victims’ families.
In addition to the justice reform, the Governor and I have also discussed our shared interest in combating trafficking in persons, the modern-day slavery that affects not only the states of Chihuahua and Texas, but the entire world. Our countries are committed to working together to end sexual and labor abuse of women and children.
Reform and change are never easy. These are challenging issues. I want the Governor and people of Chihuahua to know that we support your efforts and are here to offer the helping hand of a neighbor and a friend.
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