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Congress urged to OK $1.4 billion anti-drug package for Mexico
White House, agencies seek anti-drug funds; some lawmakers wary
2/8/09|The Dallas Morning News| By Alfredo Corchado - The Dallas Morning News

The Bush administration and law enforcement officials appealed to Congress on Thursday to approve a $1.4 billion foreign-aid package to Mexico – assistance they say is needed to stabilize a region rocked by a renewed surge in drug violence.

Thomas Shannon, assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, said the aid is necessary before "the window of opportunity closes" as organized crime poses a growing threat to Mexico's democratic institutions.

"This is money well spent," he told the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

The hearing is the first this year as Congress considers allocating a first installment of $500 million in aid to Mexico and Central America for training and equipment, such as helicopters.

That proposed first installment is part of the three-year, $1.4 billion Merida Initiative – named for the southern Mexico city where President Felipe Calderón and President Bush announced a new framework in the drug fight that includes more direct U.S. assistance. An additional $450 million is facing a vote later this year.

The hearing, with sometimes testy exchanges, reignited debate on combating drug trafficking and the U.S. relationship with Mexico.

"This is the ideal situation to take a step back and ask the key questions about our war on drugs, what works and what doesn't," said Maureen Meyer, associate for Mexico and Central America at the Washington Office on Latin America. "And unfortunately, we don't have all the answers yet."

Mr. Shannon and representatives of five federal law enforcement agencies fielded questions from members of Congress, some of whom were skeptical about helping a country with a long history of corruption.

Rep. Gabrielle Gifford, D-Ariz., questioned whether it was wise to assist Mexico at a time when the U.S. economy appears to be headed toward a recession.

"Unless we have our house in order, putting millions into Central America and Mexico is not the solution," she said.

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, responded that helping Mexico fight the drug war is "in our own interest ... because there is no magical line that will stop the spillover on our side."

Mexico receives about $47 million in annual aid for counternarcotics efforts.

Mr. Shannon said that Mr. Calderón, who begins his first U.S. visit as president this weekend, has sent more than 30,000 troops across Mexico to fight drug traffickers, "with some successes, but with a great loss of life."

More than 4,000 people have been killed in drug violence in the last two years, and more than 280 have been killed so far this year.