U.S. REP. SILVESTRE REYES, MEXICAN PRESIDENT FELIPE CALDERON DISCUSS
DRUG WAR

During a U.S. delegation trip to Mexico City, Mexican President Felipe
Calderon told U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes that Mexico needs continued
U.S. help in the fight against drug violence.

Reyes, D-Texas, led a U.S. delegation that met Tuesday with Calderon
to discuss bilateral security. The U.S. delegation included U.S. Rep.
Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz.

During the meeting, Calderon's press office said, the Mexican
president acknowledged the U.S. lawmakers' leadership and commitment
to strengthening the bilateral cooperation in the battle against
transnational organized crime.

Calderon stressed to them the importance of U.S. efforts to confront
criminal groups that operate within the United States, to reduce the
demand for drugs and to reduce the flow of weapons and cash from drug
proceeds to Mexico.

The U.S. and Mexican governments have entered the next phase of the
Merida Initiative, a $1.3 billion package for Mexico to fight the drug
cartels.

Former President George W. Bush approved the Merida Initiative in
2007, but a U.S. government report said that as of September, only
$26.2 million had been spent toward the initiative.

Since 2007, more than 18,000 people have died in Mexico's drug wars.
In this year alone, about 600 people have been killed in Juarez.

"Looking forward, we need to explore a possible expansion of the
Merida Initiative to establish a longer-term infrastructure to assist
Mexico in their fight against drug-related violence," Reyes said
Wednesday, the day after the meeting. "I am optimistic that we can
work with the State Department and our colleagues in Congress to
expedite resources to our southern neighbor."

Besides meeting with Calderon, the U.S. delegation met with senior
Mexican legislators.

"This delegation visit to Mexico is one more step we're taking to
ensure the security of our shared border," Cuellar said. Cuellar is
chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border,
Maritime and Global Counterterrorism. "During our meeting with
President Calderon, we discussed the future of the Merida Initiative,
and what we can do in Washington to ensure the program moves faster in
getting resources to Mexico.

Reyes, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence, said the three-year Merida Initiative is in its third
year. He said Congress and the Obama administration are working
closely with counterparts in Mexico to develop the next phase of assistance.

The initiative's next phase is supposed to cover four
areas:

Assistance to help Mexico continue to disrupt the capacity of the drug
cartels.

Efforts to strengthen Mexico's institutional capacity to enforce the
rule of law.

Investments in technologies and initiatives at U.S. ports of entry and
border crossings to strengthen security without hindering cross-border
trade and commerce.

Investments in social and economic development for communities
devastated by violence, and in efforts to curb drug demand.