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LATIN AMERICA WARMS UP TO US

President Barack Obama gets a warm goodbye-hug from one of the Calderon kids. Mexican President Felipe Calderon had a  bilateral  meeting with Obama who now  heads to the Summit of the Americas.

PHOTO: Mexico City, April 16, 2009. FROM White House Photo BY Peter Souza.

U.S.-MEXICO ANNOUNCE BILATERAL FRAMEWORK ON CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

THIS RELEASED FROM THE WHITE  HOUSE --- U.S.-MEXICO  ANNOUNCE BILATERAL FRAMEWORK ON CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

President Obama and President Calderon today announced plans to strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation by establishing the US-Mexico Bilateral Framework on Clean Energy and Climate Change. During their first conversation in January 2009, then President-elect Obama and President Calderon discussed the need for joint efforts to reach our common goal of achieving a low carbon future and a clean energy economy. This framework builds on that discussion.

During their discussions in Mexico City today, the two leaders agreed on the importance of promoting clean energy and combating climate change and the value of joint and practical collaboration in achieving these goals.

SUMMIT of the AMERICAS -- Obama Newspaper Editorial Reaches ARGENTINA, CHILE, COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, VENEZUELA...

    Escogiendo un futuro mejor en las Américas
                        Presidente Barack Obama
US President Obama has started to reach out to Latin America prior to to his arrival at the Summit of the Americas.  Obam's editorial was publised in Spanish in El Nuevo Herald (USA); La Nación (Argentina); El Mercurio (Chile); El Tiempo (Colombia); La Nación (Costa Rica); El Comercio (Ecuador); El Universal (México); El Comercio (Perú); El Nuevo Día (Puerto Rico); El País (Uruguay); and El Nacional (Venezuela) and in Portuguese in Brazil's O Globo.

Here's the full text of Obama's editorial printed in Latin American Newspapers.

Choosing a Better Future in the Americas
President Barack Obama

As we approach the Summit of the Americas, our hemisphere is faced with a clear choice. We can overcome our shared challenges with a sense of common purpose, or we can stay mired in the old debates of the past. For the sake of all our people, we must choose the future.

Too often, the United States has not pursued and sustained engagement with our neighbors. We have been too easily distracted by other priorities, and have failed to see that our own progress is tied directly to progress throughout the Americas. My Administration is committed to the promise of a new day. We will renew and sustain a broader partnership between the United States and the hemisphere on behalf of our common prosperity and our common security.

In advance of the Summit, we have begun to move in a new direction. This week, we amended a Cuba policy that has failed for decades to advance liberty or opportunity for the Cuban people. In particular, the refusal to allow Cuban Americans to visit or provide resources to their families on the island made no sense – particularly after years of economic hardship in Cuba, and the devastating hurricanes that took place last year. Now, that policy has changed.

OBAMA in MEXICO then on to SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS

Us President touched down in Mexico for bilateral meetings with Mexican President Felipe Calderon. Mexico -- then on to The Summit of the Americas.

Here's info from the White House on US and Mexico's 'New Approach to the Bilateral Relationship':

On April 16, President Obama made his first trip to Mexico and his first to Latin America to highlight and reinforce the United States’ commitment to work with Mexico on a broad range of issues, in particular on meeting our shared security challenges. The United States and Mexico are committed to a new approach in our bilateral relationship based on comprehensive engagement and shared responsibility.

US Diplomacy after Europe -- on to Latin America, 33 Leaders at the Summit of the Americas

'It will give our President the opportunity to meet...33 democratically elected heads of state...'
'It’s unfortunate that the governments of Venezuela and Bolivia themselves made the decision to expel our ambassadors. That’s an unnatural situation, and we hope that that will change.'

US STATE DEPT. ANNOUNCEMENT on -- Upcoming Summit of the Americas
with Jeffrey S. Davidow, Ambassador, Washington, DC

MR. AKER: Good afternoon, everyone. It’s our great pleasure and privilege today to be able to introduce Ambassador Jeffrey Davidow, who is the Special Advisor to President Obama for the Summit of the Americas, which will take place later this month in Trinidad and Tobago.
Ambassador Davidow.
AMBASSADOR DAVIDOW: Thank you. Good afternoon. Perhaps it would be helpful if I placed the summit into the context of recent developments. I think as you all know, since President Obama was elected, we have seen a period of intense diplomatic activity with this hemisphere.

Just to review some of the developments, the President of course received, even before the Inauguration, President Calderon of Mexico. After taking office, the President traveled to Canada and received here President Lula of Brazil. He also, of course, interacted with the presidents of Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, and the prime minister of Canada at the G-20 summit in London.

Secy Clinton on US Role in Mexico Border Tensions: 'the demand for illegal drugs is what keeps these guys in business'

"...it would inaccurate to absolve ourselves of responsibility or to absolve the Mexicans of responsibility. This is a shared responsibility. We share the border. And as you rightly said, the demand for illegal drugs is what keeps these guys in business. And it's a, you know, multi-billion-dollar, $25-plus billion industry.
The guns that are sold in the United States, which are illegal in Mexico, get smuggled and shipped across our border and arm these terrible drug-dealing criminals so that they can outgun these poor police officers along the border and elsewhere in Mexico.
So we've got to help out here. We can't stand by and say: Well, you know, you guys just do the best you can, when we, unfortunately, are the market for drugs, when a lot of the money is laundered in the United States back into the hands of the drug kingpins, and when the weapons have come from our country. So I think recognizing the co-responsibility is just stating the obvious..."
                                                                                Interview with Greta Van Susteren of FOX News

G-20 Latin American Leaders

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, President, Argentina

'We are going to discuss how to address the globalisation avalanche which has led to the collapse of sacred icons and totems which had been enshrined and about which nobody could discuss or question without the risk of being considered a heretic.'

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President, Brazil

'Protectionism at this point would, in my opinion, make the economic crisis worse. If we shut off international commerce it would be like taking a fish out of water, it's going to lack air.'

Felipe Calderon, President, Mexico

'We always believe that, particularly in difficult times, protectionism is not the correct answer is the wrong answer. If something can be learned from the crisis of the mid-30 is that the imposition of protectionist measures and encouraging slows the recovery of the Mexican economy.'

Secy. Clinton in Mexico -- Major new U.S.-MEXICO Border -- Security Policy Announcements

'The President is concerned by the increased level of violence, particularly in Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana, and the impact that it is having on the communities on both sides of the border.'

'The President admires President Calderon’s courage and determination to confront and dismantle the drug cartels and we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him in that fight.'

With the US Secretary of State paying diplomatic visits of leaders in Mexico, the White House released info about major new policy / initiatives, March 24, from multiple departments, to address concerns about incidents / security concerns along the US-Mexico border.

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THIS [Excerpted] FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER SECURITY POLICY: A COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE & COMMITMENT

 Departments/Agencies: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg and United States Deputy Attorney General David Ogden

Today, Department of Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano, Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg and United States Deputy Attorney General David Ogden will lay out the Administration’s comprehensive response to the situation along the border with Mexico. President Obama and his Administration are focused on all aspects of the U.S. relationship with Mexico because it is vital to core U.S. national interests.
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Janet Napolitano was sworn in on January 21, 2009 as the third Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Napolitano was mid-way through her second term as governor of the state of Arizona, which has a large area on the Meixco-US border.
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The President is concerned by the increased level of violence, particularly in Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana, and the impact that it is having on the communities on both sides of the border. He believes that the United States must continue to monitor the situation and guard against spillover into the United States. And the President is firmly committed to ensuring our borders are secure and we are doing all we can to reduce illegal flows in both direction across the border.

We are taking steps on both sides of the border, working with our Mexican partners, to support the Mexican government’s campaign against the violent cartels and to reduce contraband in both directions across the border.

The President admires President Calderon’s courage and determination to confront and dismantle the drug cartels and we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him in that fight. Mexico undoubtedly faces serious challenges, but it is vigorously confronting them. Mexico's drug-related violence is carried out among the warring cartels and against government forces. To the extent we have seen related violence in the United States it has been cartel-on-cartel.

Because this effort has so many facets, the U.S.-Mexico relationship and our efforts to help address the increase in violence in Mexico are being coordinated at the White House through the NSC and HSC.

We are investing $700 million this year in enhancing Mexican law enforcement and judicial capacity and working closely to coordinate our efforts against the cartels.  Initiative items include:

• Operation Firewall – A DHS-led comprehensive law enforcement operation targeting criminal organizations involved in the smuggling of large quantities of US currency.

• Treasury has made targeting the financial networks of Mexican drug trafficking organizations a top priority and is committed to continuing to work with the Mexican government to disrupt drug money laundering operations. This includes continuing to pursue the use of Treasury authorities including the Kingpin Designation Act.

• Treasury and other departments and agencies are collaborating closely with Mexico to analyze cross-border cash flows to try to distinguish legitimate activity from drug money laundering and other illicit transactions, as well as to support financial aspects of investigations by U.S. and Mexican law enforcement.

US: Mexican Crime Groups runnng in 230 US Cities

'The demand in U.S. underpins narcotics trade

A few highlights from Congressional testimony given by US State Dept. official, Thomas Shannon:
The fight among organized crime groups and drug cartels to control lucrative trafficking operations has unleashed appalling violence in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras... [Efforts] to attack and dismantle these criminal organizations has provoked a harsh response. The cartels are targeting police, military...using graphic displays of public violence to intimidate communities.

...The nature of our shared challenge is daunting. Mexican authorities estimate that in 2008 over 6200 persons were killed in drug-related violence, including 522 civilian law enforcement and military personnel. We are increasingly aware that this violence affects U.S. communities along our southern border. According to federal law enforcement agencies, elements of the Mexican- based criminal organizations are present in 230 American cities....

President Calderon and his government have demonstrated over the last two years their intention to surmount the serious challenges posed by these transnational criminal organizations. The Calderon administration has taken major steps...[including] deploying the military in large numbers in operations against organized crime; professionalizing Mexico’s police forces and prosecutors; extraditing top drug bosses wanted by U.S. authorities...removing Mexican officials linked to crime syndicates and corruption...

...and, of course, it is the demand for illicit drugs in the U.S. which underpins the narcotics trade. We must continue to invest in efforts to reduce our domestic demand even as we assist Mexico with its own burgeoning demand problem. Progress on these three fronts is critical to the success of the Merida Initiative, to protect our citizens, and, to defeat these criminal organizations.

There are selected statements on the topics of drugs and organized crime from the US State Dept., Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Thomas Shannon, Jr. Asst. Secy.-- Testimony In Wash. DC, Tues. March 10th, before the Subcommittee On State, Foreign Operations, House Comm. on Appropriations. Re: The Merida Initiative.

Clinton invited to Mexico in midst of US-Mex. P.O.V. clashes

Secretary Clinton to Travel to Mexico to address range of Issues. This announcement comes after a week filled with numerous statements by Mexican and American leaders -- often demonstrating dichotomous points of view.

Released by US State Dept. Acting Deputy Dept. Spokesman Gordon Duguid:

At the invitation of Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico from March 25-26. While in Mexico, Secretary Clinton will discuss a broad range of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest, including cooperation under the Merida Initiative.

What is the Merida Initiative?:  ''The Mérida Initiative is a security cooperation and assistance package for Mexico and countries in Central America'....'The Merida Initiative will provide equipment and training in support of law enforcement operations and technical assistance to promote the long-term reform, oversight and professionalization of our partners' security agencies. In 2008, Congress approved an initial $400 million for Mexico and $65 million for Central America, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.'

US - Mexico Rhetoric -- Hot & Mild -- 'No campaign against the Mexican Gov.'

IT'S OFFICIAL:  Mexico is Wonderful, Friendly, Open, Warm and Hospitable

US State Dept, Spokesman Robert Wood, commented on Mexico today. His remarks follow recent not-so-mild words from both governments --- and before Secy. Clinton's Mexico policy dinner this evening.
He started with Spring Break and travel safety:  Okay, I’m guilty. I have gone down at least once in my life for spring break. But look, Mexico is a wonderful place to go on vacation. People just need to, you know, take sensible precautions to protect themselves...Mexico is a friendly country. It’s an open country.  It’s a very warm and hospitable country. And people just need to exercise caution when they travel there.

On the timing of tonight's policy dinner: The Secretary felt that she wanted to have a dinner at this time, so she’s doing that.

--on to the heavier topics:  First of all, there is no campaign against the Government of Mexico. We do have concerns about the violence on the border. There is no secret. The Mexican Government is very concerned about it. It’s taking steps to try to do what it can to, you know, stop this violence.

Responding  to a reporter saying that Mexican President Calderón  'declared there is a campaign against Mexico by the U.S. Government' the State Dept. Spokesman said: There is coordination in the U.S. Government...the United States Government is not trying to hatch any plan against Mexico. That’s just not the case...We work cooperatively with the Government of Mexico on a range of issues, including fighting narcotics trafficking and border crime. We will continue to do that, and we have a good relationship with the government of President Calderon...there are going to be issues...We try to work on those differences.

Mexico says 'It's not easy living next to the world's largest drug consumer and arms supplier'

Mexican President Calderón Asks US for 'Joint Responsibility' in Mexico-US Challenges

At an economic forum in Mexico City, today, Pres. Calderón commented about drugs, organized crime and the US relationship.
Highlights from release provided by the Office of The PRESIDENCIA DE LA REPÚBLICA - MÉXICO:

President Felipe Calderón declared that Federal Government is reinforcing the state's authority  throughout the country to combat organized crime, adding that his administration is determined to eliminate this problem the country is suffering as a result of being next to the world's largest drug consumer and arms supplier...the President declared that the problem of organized crime is not exclusive to Mexico. He urged the US government to make a joint effort in the fight against organized crime.

The office says that the Mexican President trusts President Barack Obama’s leadership in order to work “better than ever” on this binational challenge...“Organized crime attacks both sides of the border, harming American and Mexican families. Organized crime is a joint challenge that President Obama and I will face together,” he said.

President Calderón, at another venue, said that his government is working harder than ever to "put its house in order" and, with society's support, will not rest until there is a free, safe Mexico.