Defense Briefing by Secretary Gates on the Merida Initiative

[lovuian]

Q: The Mexican territory is part of the Northern Command of the U.S., and I'd like you to characterize for us exactly what is the level of cooperation -- relative cooperation between the Mexican army and the U.S. generals. Sometimes I have the impression that the relationship between the Mexican army and the military officers in the States is somewhat filtered or somewhat ceremonial. So how exactly has it evolved within the context of the Northern Command?

SEC. GATES: Well, I would -- I think that there is -- I think this is a relationship that is, in many respects, perhaps not in its infancy, but is young. And we are very mindful of the sensitivities here in Mexico. And so we are -- I would say that the relationship is limited, but both sides are looking for opportunities where we can cautiously grow it. And I mentioned some of those areas before.

One of the points that I would like to make about the Merida Initiative is that it is completely consistent with the testimony that Secretary of State Rice and I gave before the House Armed Services Committee a week and a half ago, in which we talked about the importance of the United States doing what it can to strengthen the capabilities of our friends, that it is in our interest that our friends have greater capabilities to protect their own security and to take care of transnational criminal activities such as the drug cartels.

And as we are looking to do this in other places around the world, I think that the Merida Initiative fits that category very nicely where we're really focused -- it's in our interest, because we have shared interests, to enhance the capabilities of the Mexican armed forces. Most of these programs that we're talking about under the Merida Initiative are funded and administered by the State Department, actually, not by the Defense Department, although, for example, if we are able to provide helicopters, we would obviously be involved in training and that sort of thing.
more...
http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2008/May/20080502111033eaifas0.3475153.html
Its one more step into the North American Union
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ymuE9a3Kb7k

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4urKRKYQXjU