Press Releases 08
Ambassador Garza Reviews Monterrey Consulate after Incident
Statement by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza
Monterrey NL, October 15, 2008 - “I have no higher priority
than the protection of the American community, and this holds
especially true for the people who work in the U.S. Diplomatic
Mission in Mexico,” said U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Antonio
O. Garza, during a visit to Monterrey.
“Today I made a fact-finding visit to our Consulate General
in Monterrey to consult with our Consul General, Bruce Williamson,
and our Consulate community over the attack of last Saturday
night. He has told me of the progress of the investigation
and the determination shown by our law enforcement attachés
and their counterparts in Mexican local, state and federal
entities to spare no effort in solving this crime. This was
an attack against a U.S. government facility, and neither
the U.S. government nor our Mexican hosts take such an attack
lightly.
“We have not only dramatically increased our security, which
enabled us to remain open and continue at full staffing in
all of our departments, but we are also intensifying our cooperation
with our Mexican counterparts in every aspect of this law
enforcement investigation so that we can bring the perpetrators
to justice. They will find that it was a mistake to target
a United States Consulate.
“This highlights again the importance of our shared commitment
with Mexico to confront violence and the criminal elements
that thrive on intimidation and fear. We will redouble our
efforts to ensure the security of our diplomatic mission across
Mexico. No one should believe they can attack a United States
government facility with impunity."
|
