">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Clinton to visit Mexico to support drug crackdown
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Clinton to visit Mexico to support drug crackdown
By MATTHEW LEE,Associated Press Writer AP - Saturday, March 14
WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to Mexico this month to show support for that country's crackdown on drug cartels that is blamed for a surge in violence and fears of a large-scale spillover into the United States.
ADVERTISEMENT
The State Department said Friday that Clinton, on her third trip abroad as the top U.S. diplomat, will visit Mexico City and Monterrey on March 25-26 to underscore the Obama administration's commitment to helping Mexican authorities deal with the deteriorating situation, which has prompted deep concern in Washington and Southwestern states.
Clinton's agenda will be broad, including the global financial crisis, climate change and trade, but will likely be dominated by discussions on the Merida Initiative, a Bush administration project to counter narcotics trafficking and crime in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America that Obama has said he wants to revamp.
"We will be discussing Merida," deputy State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid said. "It's not a U.S. decision alone on how we proceed. This is a partnership with Mexico. The programs, the projects, the training that occur under Merida aren't static. They can be adapted to the needs that both partners see on the ground."
Congress has allocated $300 million for the Merida Initiative this year, $150 million less than had been requested, but Duguid said the amount was "ample" and "we will move forward on that basis."
The escalating violence _ which has killed thousands, mostly south of the border _ has set off alarm bells in the U.S. and triggered a State Department travel alert last month that compared recent confrontations between Mexican authorities and the cartels to "small-unit combat."
Mexican officials say the violence killed 6,290 people last year and more than 1,000 in the first eight weeks of 2009.
Despite the warning, timed to coincide with Spring Break when thousands of American students head to Mexican beaches and resorts, U.S. officials have stressed that the violence is "localized" and a reaction to the strong steps being taken by the government of President Felipe Calderon against the cartels.
Clinton's visit to Monterrey, an industrial city near the Texas border, is in part intended to signal that the Obama administration does not believe Mexico is unsafe. In October and November, unidentified gunmen fired shots outside the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey in three incidents, including one in which a grenade was thrown but failed to explode.
Still, U.S. officials regard the cartels as the biggest organized crime threat facing the United States and the spiraling violence has worried lawmakers and authorities in border states and stirred calls from some to send American troops to the border.
Obama said this week he had no desire to "militarize" the border, but the Department of Homeland Security has outlined plans to protect the border that include, as a last resort, deploying military personnel and equipment to the region if other agencies are overwhelmed.
In its annual survey of global counter-narcotics efforts, the State Department in February painted a grim picture of the situation in Mexico, where it said Calderon was taking "courageous" and "unprecedented" steps to combat the drug trade but was hindered by rampant corruption.
Mexico is the main transit point for cocaine entering the U.S. and a source for much of the heroin, marijuana and methamphetine consumed in America, the department said, adding that there had been an increase in contract killings and kidnappings on U.S. soil carried out by Mexican drug cartels, sometimes using weapons that were purchased or stolen in America.
It also said that firearms obtained in the U.S. account for an estimated 95 percent of the country's drug-related killings.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: World
Tutu to China: Stop abusing Dalai LamaAP - Saturday, March 14
US drops 'enemy combatant' detention statusAFP - Saturday, March 14
Buyers sue Trump over failed Mexico condo projectAP - Saturday, March 14
Baby sitters accused of taping sex with childrenAP - Saturday, March 14
2,000 more troops arrive in Mexican border cityAP - Saturday, March 14
Most Popular – World
Viewed
For sale: nagging wife, very high maintenance
VW reveals race to overtake GM, Toyota
World Bank warns of "very dangerous" year ahead
Space junk sparks crew scare on ISS
Chimp used planning skills to attack humans
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Saturday, 14 March 2009 World court prosecutor to appeal Bashir genocide ruling
| International
|
Brazilian hijacks small plane, kills child in crash
| International
|
Fresh face lifts ex-guerrillas in Salvador election
| International
|
Ericsson signs U.S. deal worth over $2 billion: report
| Technology
|
Alfa's Fridman fighting different war on Vimpelcom
| Technology
|
Qimonda still seeks investors, cuts production
| Technology
|
Almodovar shows his dark side with Broken Embraces
| Entertainment
|
U.S. band Pixies to play single gig at UK festival
| Entertainment
|
UK rocker Pete Doherty lauded for solo debut
| Entertainment
|
UN chief: 2009 is critical year for Afghanistan
U.N. says security in Afghanistan may worsen in 2009
| International
|
Sudan says aid workers still being held
| International
|
Livni, Netanyahu said weighing alliance talks
Israel's Netanyahu and Livni make new contact
Hopes for Pakistani compromise fade, protests go on
| International
|
G20 ministers deny rift over fighting credit crisis
World court prosecutor to appeal Bashir genocide ruling
Tibet silent, shut-off on riot anniversary
| International
|
Obama program helping US economy: Summers
American badly hurt in clash with Israeli military
Austrian diplomat appointed as Bosnia peace envoy
| International
|
World Bank warns of "very dangerous" year ahead
Nine nations agree plan to combat arms flow to Gaza
| International
|
Iraqi leaders cite security problems
European states pledge to ease bank secrecy
European auto sales slump by 20%
Iran dismisses sanctions and launches gas project
Israel's Netanyahu and Livni make new contact
| International
|
U.S. in deal to refurbish aircraft for Taiwan
| International
|
Georgian protesters demand Saakashvili resign
| International
|
Obama, Yudhoyono discuss economic crisis
US drops 'enemy combatant' detention status
Qimonda still seeks investors, cuts production
Catholic church paid 436 mln dlrs for abuse cases
Alfa's Fridman fighting different war on Vimpelcom
Clinton to visit Mexico to support drug crackdown
Web founder fears 'snooping' on the Internet
EU to test US data sharing on Guantanamo inmates
German Qimonda closer to liquidation: administrator
Tech, music and film converge at SXSW Festival
NIreland salutes slain policeman
Dutch police arrest top suspect in German mafia killings
Gunman shot dead in Siberian hostage-taking
Ex-KGB agent wanted by Britain to run for mayor
Japan protests NKorea's rocket launch plan
China's Premier Wen defends Tibet policies
Obama, Yudhoyono discuss economic crisis
Obama, Arroyo back controversial defense treaty
China 'worried' about US Treasury holdings
Oil soaks Australian beaches after spill
Pakistan complains of 'alienation' from US drone strikes
White House: No safer investment than US
G20 discuss credit crunch fight, deny split
US assures China over bond investments
Filipinos in immigration row with Japan
Fire at Bangladesh's largest mall kills 4
US in deal to refurbish aircraft for Taiwan
PLDT takes 30 pct in Meralco
Thai economy facing delay in recovery: PM
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
China 'worried' about US Treasury holdings
New Orleans musician rebounds, opens 'Gate'
Second Life finding new life
People mag retracts Brown and Rihanna duet story
First Superman comic book raises 317,200 dlrs
Wash state: 'Ax Men' crew salvaged logs illegally
Reinvigorated, lip-synching Spears wows N.Y. fans
Stewart, Cramer TV battle royal draws big audience
Ericsson signs U.S. deal worth over $2 billion: report
| Technology
|
Pattinson: New role's 'naked stuff' uncomfortable
'Firebrand of Florence': smashing concert version
Clooney's quiet ER return boosts show ratings
| Entertainment
|
Reinvigorated, lip-synching Spears wows N.Y. fans
| Entertainment
|
A-Z of Aussie musicians unite for bushfires benefit
| Entertainment
|
New Orleans musician rebounds, opens Gate
| Entertainment
|
Madagascar opposition deadline passes
| International
|
Israeli police fatally shoot Palestinian
Three men arrested over killing of British soldiers
| International
|
Iran says oil market oversupplied
Afghan police say victims of U.S. raid not militants
| International
|
OPEC hardliners hint at cuts on eve of meeting
Afghan father, four sons killed in US raid: police
Two Gaza rockets hit Israel: military
Iraq president to retire from office next year
| International
|
Madoff reveals $823 million life of luxury
Sri Lanka rejects U.N. allegations on civilian deaths
| International
|
Bin Laden accuses Arab leaders of plotting against Muslims
| International
|
Zimbabwe's Mugabe says unity government to bring stability
| International
|
Russia weighs Cuba, Venezuela bases: report
US Salvadorans make opinion count in election
Web founder warns against website snooping
| Technology
|
Cash-hungry U.S. states turn to Web to auction goods
| Technology
|
Nicaragua blasts US's decision to hold back aid
U.S. and Britain at odds over detainee
Web founder warns against website snooping
Cash-hungry U.S. states turn to Web to auction goods
Three arrests over N.Ireland soldiers' killings
Australian stars line up for bushfire victims
| Entertainment
|
Sri Lanka rejects UN charge of possible war crimes
5 killed in Afghan operation targeting bomb-maker
Pakistan protesters defy government ban
Stars turn out for Australia wildfires concerts
Nepal police detain 2 foreign pro-Tibet protesters
Indian forces kill 3 suspected rebels in Kashmir
China investigating freighter that hit fishermen
NKorea bars border crossing for 2nd straight day
G20 to agree IMF funding boost: European source
Hundreds of Taiwanese rally in support of Tibet
Pakistani c.bank sells 10 bln rupees of T-bills
Australian stars line up for bushfire victims
John Woo to make 'Titanic of the east': report
Young bloods vie to be Bollywood's new leading men
Tenor Philip Webb makes surprise Met debut
A-Z of Aussie musicians unite for bushfires benefit
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights