Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MEXICO1310
2006-03-09 21:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Mexico
Cable title:  

AGAINST THE WALL: US AND MEXICAN CONGRESSMEMBERS

Tags:  PGOV PREL MX 
pdf how-to read a cable
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R 092141Z MAR 06
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MEXICO 001310 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MX
SUBJECT: AGAINST THE WALL: US AND MEXICAN CONGRESSMEMBERS
DISCUSS BORDER SECURITY AND COOPERATION


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MEXICO 001310

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MX
SUBJECT: AGAINST THE WALL: US AND MEXICAN CONGRESSMEMBERS
DISCUSS BORDER SECURITY AND COOPERATION



1. (SBU) Summary: During the 45th U.S.-Mexico
Interparliamentary (IPG) meeting members of Congress from
both countries exchanged perspectives on border security and
migration. The Mexican delegation stressed shared
responsibility for border matters and the contribution
Mexican migrants make to the U.S. economy. They presented
copies of a concurrent resolution passed by both houses
entitled "Mexico and the Migrant Phenomenon," which notes
that if enough work visas become available, Mexico will take
steps to ensure that migration north takes place through
legal crossing points. The U.S. delegation lauded Mexico's
willingness to provide greater security along the border, but
was frank about low chances for amnesty. Both sides agreed
that NADBank should be reviewed and reformed, but not
abolished. They seemed to agree on the utility of including
Canada in a trilateral IPG, although the mechanism for doing
so wasn't clear. The meeting, the last for this Mexican
delegation, was extremely cordial on all sides, and Mexican
members of Congress told us they were quite pleased with the
U.S. delegation's manner and message. Mexican co-chair
Emilio Chuayffet (PRI) announced the government of Mexico
would present an award to retiring Rep. Jim Kolbe for his
contributions to the IPG. End summary.


2. (SBU) While during the run-up to the IPG some press
tried to suggest the meeting would be confrontational over
sensitive issues like border security and migration, in fact
it was conducted throughout in a very collegial manner that
left the Mexican delegation extremely pleased. The opening
ceremony set the tone with polite remarks by PRI heavyweight
Emilio Chuayffet matched by Rep. Kolbe's reflections on the
positive evolution of the IPG over the many years he has
participated. Sen. Silvia Hernandez (PRI) stressed that
mutual problems need solutions reached through mutual
discussion and agreement. Senator Cornyn focused on the
positive development of the Congress-to-Congress dialogue
over time as a means to bridge differences. While press
continued throughout the session to try and stir controversy,
the meeting continued in the cordial tone set by the four
co-chairs.

Migration and Border Security


3. (SBU) The Mexicans leaned forward on the migration
discussion, highlighting the concurrent resolution on "Mexico
and the Migration Phenomenon", passed by both houses on
February 16, 2006. The resolution includes Mexican
obligations to ensure migration passes through legal
crossings in the event that enough work visas become
available, as well as its obligations to treat (illegal)
migrants inside Mexico with respect and consideration. Dep.
Garcia Ochoa (PRD) emphasized that with over one million
crossings a day, illegal crossings were a small fraction of a
very successful border. Sen. Oscar Luebbert echoed a
familiar refrain by saying walls won't work to stop
migration. Rep. Manzullo noted migration was Mexico's
problem too -- its citizens were seeing their future in
another country. Dep. Jimenez commented that the U.S. will
still need workers. Rep. Manzullo added that there was no
way an amnesty program would pass in the U.S.


4. (SBU) The migration discussion overlapped with the
conversation on border security. Dep. Jimenez (PRI)
highlighted the March 3 signing between Secretaries Chertoff
and Abascal of the Action Plan Against Border Violence,
saying this reflected Mexico's growing acceptance of its
responsibility for border security. Sen. Osuna (who is from
Tijuana) stressed that contraband flows both ways through
border tunnels, and that law enforcement and communities on
both sides confronted the corrosive influence of illegal
gangs moving weapons, drugs, and people. Dep. Cortes (PAN)
noted that Mexico had recently strengthened southern border
measures after a trilateral meeting with Guatemala and
Belize. The Mexicans also presented an "Integral Migratory
Policy Proposal for the Mexican Southern Border" prepared by
the National Migration Institute (INM). In response to
several Mexican comments, Sen. Cornyn noted that the "wall"
was a misconception, and was distracting attention from some
of the real issues. Rep. McCaul noted 42 American citizens
had been kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo in the last year. He
added that the alleged military incursion at Neely Crossing,
Texas, while in the end NOT involving Mexican military, did
highlight the calm with which Mexican drug cartels operated
in broad daylight along the border -- with no Mexican law
enforcement response. Sen. Jeffery Jones (PAN) followed up
on this point, saying that better communication between U.S.
and Mexican law enforcement agencies would help both respond
faster and more reliably in these situations. Rep. Davis
then raised the OASISS program (investigative cooperation
between US and Mexican agencies to permit Mexican prosecution

MEXICO 00001310 002 OF 003


of human smugglers) as one success we should not overlook.

Mysteries of the SPP


5. (SBU) Mexican congressmembers from the PRD, CD and PT
took the opportunity to stress that the Security and
Prosperity Partnership (SPP) was not well known or understood
inside the congress, much less amongst the greater
population. PRD Deputy Garcia Ochoa suggested the three
governments should make a greater effort to vest their
citizens in SPP. PRD Senator Cardenas was more critical,
saying he saw no plan or blueprint for progress under SPP,
and thought there should be a role for the three congresses
in its evolution. Dep. Schmal said he had no idea what the
SPP was about, and wondered what the three heads of state
would discuss in Cancun at the end of the month.

NADBank Should Remain


6. (SBU) Sen. Luebbert (PRI) raised his concern that both
executive branches were discussing closing NADBank. This
would be a mistake he said, a position seconded by many on
the Mexican delegation. Rep. Kolbe said he understood it was
Mexico's proposal to close NADBank and said the issue was
under review for this year's budget. After several more
Mexican delegation members stressed their support for
continuation of NADBank, Kolbe said in his summation of the
proceedings that he would suggest NADBAnk needs to be
re-examined by both countries with an eye toward improving it
rather than abolishing it.

All-American Canal, NAFTA, Awards and Next Steps


7. (SBU) The Mexican delegation raised its concern over the
lining of the All-American Canal, the need to re-open
discussions about corn and bean market liberalization under
NAFTA, and its strong desire to have additional congressional
mechanisms for dialogue on the range of issues covered by the
IPG. They discussed forming a "Mixed Commission,"
trilateralizing the IPG by adding Canada, and/or a series of
topic-specific working groups. There was some consensus that
adding Canada to the IPG would be useful, although also some
confusion about the mechanism to do this. In a gesture that
characterized the warm nature of the conversations
throughout, Dep. Chuayffet announced that the Mexican
Government would bestow a medal on retiring Rep. Kolbe for
his contributions to the IPG over the years.


8. (SBU) Comment: Given the strident nature of Mexican
congressional denunciations of "the wall" and the
Sensenbrenner Bill in general, it was remarkable how
genuinely friendly and collegial the IPG conversations were.
Mexican congressmembers told us they were delighted with the
tone and substance of the talks. Mexican press highlighted
Rep. Kolbe's opposition to the wall, but despite its best
efforts was unable to generate friction between the two
sides. This was the last IPG for the Mexican delegation
(although several members may switch to the other house after
July elections, and will no doubt be back),and they clearly
felt proud of their role in the bilateral congressional
exchange.


9. Ambassador Garza and Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. de
Icaza were honored observers at the IPG. The formal
delegations were:

US delegation

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)
Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT)

Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ)
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX)
Rep. David Dreier (R-CA)
Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL)
Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL)
Rep. Luis Fortuno (R-PR)
Rep. Phil English (R-PA)
Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA)
Rep. William Delahunt (D-MA)
Rep. Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS)

Mexican delegation

Sen. Silvia Hernandez (PRI)
Sen. Oscar Luebbert (PRI)
Sen. German Sierra Sahcnez (PRI)
Sen. Hector Osuna (PAN)
Sen. Carlos Villalobos Organista (PAN)
Sen. Jeffrey Jones (PAN)

MEXICO 00001310 003 OF 003


Sen. Veronica Velasco (PVEM)
Sen. Raymundo Cardenas (PRD)


Dep. Emilio Chuayffet (PRI)
Dep. Elena Martinez (PRI)
Dep. Raul Pompa Victoria (PRI)
Dep. Francisco Suarez y Davila (PRI)
Dep. Carlos Jimenez Macias (PRI)
Dep. Adriana Gonzalez (PAN)
Dep. Rodrigo Ivan Cortes Jimenez (PAN)
Dep. Juan Jose Garcia Ochoa (PRD)
Dep. Jorge Martinez Ramos (PRD)
Dep. Jesus Gonzalez Schmal (CD)
Dep. Pedro Vazquez Gonzalez (PT)
Dep. Jorge Kahwagi (PVEM)





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