DEPUTY SECRETARY VISIT TO MEXICO DEMONSTRATES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MEXICO 006046 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/MEX, INR, INL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON MX SUBJECT: DEPUTY SECRETARY VISIT TO MEXICO DEMONSTRATES U.S. RESOLVE, STRENGTHENS MEXICAN SUPPORT FOR MERIDA INITIATIVE MEXICO 00006046 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: This is the first of five cables reporting on the October 29-31 visit to Mexico City by Deputy Secretary Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State for SIPDIS Western Hemisphere Affairs Tom Shannon. In meetings with government leaders, opinion makers and members of civil society, Ambassador Negroponte underscored that Calderon,s commitment to better law enforcement and security cooperation is matched by that of President Bush, that partnership between our two countries underpins our strategy to implement the recently announced Merida Initiative, and that soundings in the U.S. congress have demonstrated general support for the concept. ¶2. (SBU) The Deputy Secretary got a first-hand look at Mexico,s political landscape and some of the challenges facing the initiative. However, despite some misgivings among congressional contacts with the manner in which the Mexican government had handled its launch in Mexico (reported in Septel),no one with whom the Deputy Secretary spoke raised serious concerns with the prospect of enhanced law enforcement cooperation; most agreed that it is warranted by circumstances here. End Summary. Foreign Secretary Espinosa Outlines Political Challenges GOM Faces ¶3. (SBU) The Deputy Secretary launched his Mexico City visit with a working lunch at Mexico,s Foreign Affairs Secretariat (SRE) with the GOM strategic core group that SIPDIS worked with USG counterparts in recent months to give shape to the Merida Initiative. Host Patricia Espinosa (Secretary for Foreign Relations) shared with Negroponte her view that the consultations were &intense, delicate, professional, serious.8 In her view, they represented a new opportunity, and an unprecedented improvement in the bilateral working relationship. &Despite whatever happens, we've won.8 she stated. ¶4. (SBU) Espinosa recounted her recent experiences in appearances before the Mexican Congress, in which members attacked the Calderon Administration for not consulting adequately regarding the Merida Initiative; Negroponte remarked that the reaction in Washington was very similar. The Foreign Secretary said that Mexican legislators seemed convinced that the GOM had signed off on a hidden agreement and insisted that she produce it. Legislators also worried about conditions they believed the U.S. had imposed on Mexico. ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Negroponte noted that each government now needed to explain the new possibilities to each Congress and to mold public perceptions to overcome any resistance. Other topics raised included the Mexican move in January 2008 to centralized passport issuance and the future of the Bilateral Commission. Deputy Secretary Underscores U.S. Commitment to President Calderon ¶6. (SBU) In a relaxed and friendly meeting with President Calderon, the Deputy Secretary, accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Tom Shannon SIPDIS and Ambassador Garza, discussed the significant increase in narcotics-related crime in Mexico since his tenure here as Ambassador, and noted with satisfaction the deepened commitment of the Mexican government in fighting it. The Merida imitative marks a significant step forward, and signals the recognition of our common interest in acting together resolutely. ¶7. (SBU) Ambassador Negroponte outlined the efforts the State Department had undertaken since the package's announcement to get Congress's approval of the package. Senior officials had already engaged widely with key Congressional leaders and staff and would continue to do so in coming weeks. He noted that State's initial soundings were positive. A few members of Congress had registered the same "process" concerns that had been aired in Mexico (i.e. that Congress had not been adequately consulted prior to the Merida Initiative's "launch"). No member, however, has yet raised serious objections to the proposal itself. However, he noted, given the realities of Congress's budget process, MEXICO 00006046 002.2 OF 002 formal Congressional approval would be a matter of months, not weeks. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / GARZA