Leslie Bassett Addresses Border Trade Alliance

Mexico City | February 24, 2009

“I am optimistic that this time of trial, both in terms of economic and security challenges, will end in stronger trade ties, deeper security cooperation, and safer, more prosperous communities in both Mexico and the United States,” said Leslie Bassett, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, when she addressed the Border Trade Alliance meeting in Mexico City today.

Ms. Bassett told the assembled group of U.S. and Mexican businessmen that the U.S. has accelerated the development of technologies that will make border crossings more efficient, and the targeting of border risks more accurate. She also noted there are more U.S. government officials working the border at ports of entry and areas in between than ever before, and that the stimulus bill President Obama just signed includes important resources for modernization of both the U.S.-Mexico and the U.S.-Canada borders. “The U.S. and Mexico are engaged [through the Merida Initiative] in a similarly historic undertaking to align our efforts against the security challenges organized criminal networks pose to both our countries… but those challenges are discussed in the context of common goals, common visions for their communities, and ultimately a common future.”

In concluding, she reiterated that the participants in the Border Trade Alliance should, similarly, “leave here optimistic because the U.S. and Mexico are working together as we never have before, and that's the best recipe for success.”

For a full text of Chargé Bassett’s remarks, go to http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/texts/et090224BTA.html