Pubdate: Thu, 26 Mar 2009
Source: Wall Street Journal (US)
Copyright: 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wsj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/487
Authors: Jay Solomon and Jose de Cordoba
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Mexico
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Felipe+Calderon

CLINTON OFFERS MEXICO HELP IN DRUG WAR

MEXICO CITY -- Mexican officials announced the capture of an alleged 
drug lord Wednesday as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 
arrived, carrying a conciliatory message: U.S. demand is a principal 
reason for spiraling drug-related violence in Mexico.

Mrs. Clinton pledged that the Obama administration will work 
aggressively to reduce drug demand, while seeking to cut off the flow 
of high-tech weapons from the U.S. that Mexican narcotics gangs are 
using in their internal wars and in conflict with Mexican authorities.

The U.S. will also seek to expedite shipments of military hardware 
and technical assistance, she said, part of $700 million in aid this 
year to help Mexico respond to the narcotics threat.

Mrs. Clinton said the Obama administration would seek $80 million 
from Congress for three Black Hawk helicopters for Mexico, $66 
million of which is new money. "Our insatiable demand for illegal 
drugs fuels the drug trade. ...So yes, I feel very strongly that we 
have a co-responsibility" to confront it, Mrs. Clinton told reporters 
traveling with her to Mexico City from Washington. She noted the U.S. 
was considering increasing the inspections of cars and trains moving 
south from the U.S. "We're going to try and help" prevent the guns 
"from getting there in the first place," she said. Her trip is partly 
aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Mexico City that have 
emerged in recent months, including suggestions in the U.S. that 
Mexico had lost control of some territory to organized crime. Mrs. 
Clinton met with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Foreign 
Minister Patricia Espinosa and discussed a range of issues, including 
the environment, economy and education.

Hours before her arrival, officials announced the capture of Hector 
Huerta, the third alleged drug lord arrested in the past week. On 
Monday the government cranked up pressure on gangs, posting rewards 
of up to $2 million for information leading to the capture of 37 
alleged drug lords. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake