Pubdate: Sat, 29 Dec 2001
Source: Corpus Christi Caller-Times (TX)
Copyright: 2001 Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Contact: http://www.caller.com/commcentral/email_ed.htm
Website: http://www.caller.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/872
Author: Julie Watson

U.S. IS LOOKING TO MEXICO TO BOLSTER BORDER SECURITY

Some U.S. Officials Worry That Lax Controls Will Allow Terrorists To Stage 
Future Attacks

MATAMOROS, Mexico - Smuggling has always thrived along the U.S.-Mexico 
border, where money can buy passage for almost anything.

Now, as the United States beefs up security after the Sept. 11 attacks, 
Mexico's endemic lawlessness has raised concerns that terrorists could use 
the country's organized crime networks to stage future attacks against the 
United States.

The United States and Mexico are discussing border security, and the two 
countries are expected to reach an agreement next year, following a recent 
U.S.-Canada accord to fight terrorism along the U.S. northern frontier.

"Mexico will not be a place of residency for terrorists nor a place of 
transit," Mexican President Vicente Fox said during a recent trip to Tijuana.

But Fox has struggled to halt widespread corruption and bring down deadly 
cartels. In December, five federal agents and two state police officers in 
Reynosa were arrested for working for one of Mexico's most-wanted drug 
lords, Osiel Cardenas.

There is no evidence that terrorists have staged attacks against the United 
States from Mexico. But even without corruption, government officials on 
both sides of the border have expressed concerns about Mexico's lax 
security and lawless culture.

Ruben Garza, a regional supervisor for Mexico's Comptroller's office, said 
there are periods when no one is watching luggage move through X- ray 
machines at Tijuana's airport.
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