December 3, 2007
U.S.
Senators Meet with Mexican President Calderón
1. Press
Release: Presidency of the Republic (Mexico)
2. Statement
by U.S. Senator Harry Reid
3. Statement
by U.S. Ambassador Antonio Garza
1.
Mexican President Meets with
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
November 29, Mexico City – During the meeting,
President Felipe Calderón and the US senators exchanged points of view on key issues on the bilateral agenda, such as migration,
combating organized crime and trade.
The president repeated the Mexican government’s
position in favor of an integral migratory reform that will consider Mexican migrants' contributions to the US economy, society
and culture and rejected the climate of persecution of migrants that prevails in certain parts of that country. He also stressed
that since migratory flows reflect social, economic and demographic realities, the only long-term solution to the phenomenon
is to consolidate the employment and living conditions in Mexico that will prevent Mexico from losing its best men and women.
The discussion regarding cooperation in the struggle
against organized crime and drug trafficking focused on the "Merida Initiative," recently announced by the presidents of the
two countries. It was agreed that this constitutes an opportunity to effectively deal with this common challenge, on the basis
of the principle of shared responsibility and with full respect for the sovereignty of both countries. President Calderón
stressed the need for US authorities to redouble their efforts to reduce arms trafficking to Mexico as part of this cooperation
effort.
In discussing the state of economic relations between
the two countries, the Mexican president stressed the importance of developing policies that will increase the competitiveness
of both economies as part of North America, in order to meet the challenge raised by the emergence of increasingly dynamic
growth centers in other parts of the world.
The US delegation included Democratic senators Jeff
Bingaman, Kent Conrad, Byron Dorgan and Robert Menendez, as well as Republican senators Thad Cochran and Mike Crapo.
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Press Release: Presidency
of the Republic, November 29, 2007, Mexico City
Translation by Presidency
of the Republic
• • •
2. Harry Reid Statement on Meeting with Mexican President Calderon
November 29, 2007, Mexico City – U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada made the following statement today following his visit
to Mexico during which he meet with Mexican President Felipe Calderon.
“The bipartisan Senate delegation had a frank
and productive conversation with President Calderon. We look forward to working with the government of Mexico as partners
and good neighbors in our fight against problems of mutual concern.
“President Calderon has already demonstrated
his strong commitment to fighting drug trafficking and organized crime. He understands that economic development in
Mexico will help reduce illegal immigration to the United States, and he is fighting for reforms to achieve that goal.”
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Source: United State Senator
for Nevada Harry Reid
• • •
3.
U.S. Ambassador Welcomes Senate
Majority Leader Reid and Delegation on Security Cooperation and Economic Development
Statement by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza:
November 30, 2007, Mexico City – “I am
very pleased that a high-level delegation led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid visited Mexico yesterday to discuss our
bilateral relationship. The U.S. Senate is currently considering funding for the Merida Initiative, arguably the most important
step forward in the Mexico - U.S. bilateral relationship since the signing of NAFTA.
“Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, leading
a bipartisan delegation of six other U.S. Senators, was received by President Calderon at Los Pinos yesterday in a meeting
that lasted an hour and twenty minutes -- twice as long as scheduled. In addition to Senator Reid, the delegation included
Senators Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, Mike Crapo
of Idaho, and Robert Menendez of New Jersey.
“President Calderon has already demonstrated
his strong commitment to fighting drug trafficking and organized crime, and we recognize our shared responsibility in that
fight.
“Mexican Senate President Santiago Creel hosted
an important delegation discussion with over 20 Mexican Senators, including party leaders Manlio Fabio Beltrones and Carlos
Navarrete Ruiz. The frank discussions reinforced the already strong partnership between the U.S. and Mexico, and paved the
way for even greater trust and cooperation.
“The U.S. Senators also visited a microfinance
project in Mexico City supported the by the Embassy’s Agency for International Development (USAID). The USAID project
provides technical support to microfinance institutions that serve small businesses throughout Mexico. The group visited the
workshop of Gilberta Hernandez, a client of Fincomun, one of the 14 financial institutions that receive USG support. By qualifying
for credit, Ms. Hernandez has been able to expand her business fabricating wedding and “quinceañera” bouquets.
She now employs six other people and is not only selling her products in Mexico, but exporting to shops in Dallas, Houston
and Chicago. She exemplifies the three million Mexicans who are building small businesses and have gained access to financial
services from these institutions.
“Earlier, in a special ceremony at the U.S.
Embassy, Senator Thad Cochran personally presented Cochran Fellowships to four agricultural specialists to help further develop
the cacao industry in Tabasco. These employees of the Tabasco Ministry of Agriculture will go to the United States to study
cacao production and also methods for increasing crop values and effectively marketing their products. In the wake of severe
flooding, this effort will help speed agricultural recovery in this affected region, and support future economic expansion.
The Cochran Fellowship is an outstanding example of the U.S. government’s ongoing programs for cooperation and development
that, in addition to over $2 million dollars in emergency relief, are being mobilized to assist the victims of the terrible
flooding in Tabasco and Chiapas.
“This visit by Senator Reid and his fellow Senators
will fortify the strong ties between our two great nations. The time they dedicated to meet with ordinary Mexican citizens,
small business people and farmers from Tabasco, further underscores the close ties that bind our people. On both an official
and personal level this visit was a great success, which I hope will be the first of many such exchanges over the coming year.”
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Source: Embassy of the United
State, Mexico
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