Press Releases 08
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Visits Mexico
Statement by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza
Mexico City, October 23, 2008 - “It has been my distinct
pleasure to accompany Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
during her visit to Puerto Vallarta over the past two days.
Secretary Rice came to Mexico at the invitation of Foreign
Secretary Patricia Espinosa in order to discuss ongoing cooperation
and the promotion of prosperity and security in the region.
“Secretary Rice and Secretary Espinosa signed the U.S.-Mexico
Agreement on Emergency Management Cooperation in Cases of
Disasters and Accidents. The people of Mexico and the United
States have a long history of helping one another in cases
of disasters or local emergencies like wildfires and flooding.
This agreement lays the groundwork for enhanced joint cooperation,
and will result in less human suffering by ensuring effective
preparation for and response to emergencies.
“Secretary Rice’s visit also allowed for useful discussion
of the cooperation between U.S. officials and Mexican colleagues
to break the power of organized criminal networks, curtail
the violence that afflicts both our societies, and limit the
flow of drugs to the United States and weapons to Mexico.
“Through the Merida Initiative, a multi-year United States-Mexican
joint cooperation effort, technical support and equipment
destined for Mexican law enforcement officials will strengthen
our combined capability to confront these challenges. The
$400 million approved by the U.S. Congress for the first year
of the Merida Initiative will be available soon, and will
complement ongoing programs already begun by the Calderon
Administration with impressive results. Secretary Rice and
Foreign Secretary Espinosa discussed ways to ensure that the
Merida Initiative is effectively used to meet our shared responsibility
to ensure the safety and security of our respective communities.
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