Calderon condemns border fence

By Stephen Dinan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
March 14, 2007

TEMOZON SUR, Mexico - Mexican President Felipe Calderon yesterday criticized the 850 miles of border fence that President Bush and Congress approved last year, saying there are better ways to stop illegal immigration.
"We do consider in a respectful way that we may truly stop the migration by building a kilometer of highway in Michoacan or Zacatecas than 10 kilometers of walls in the border," Mr. Calderon said during a welcome ceremony here, according to the official translation.
Mr. Calderon, who was sworn in as president in December, said it is time for Mr. Bush to re-establish the working relationship he had promised in early 2001, before the September 11 terrorist attacks reordered Washington's priorities.

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Mexican leader talks tough

Calderón to Bush: U.S. needs drug, border policy changes

Chris Hawley
Republic Mexico City Bureau
Mar. 14, 2007 12:00 AM

MERIDA, Mexico - Mexican President Felipe Calderón showed a harder edge than his predecessor Tuesday, blasting U.S. construction of border walls and demanding Americans shoulder some of the blame for drug-trafficking as he kicked off a two-day summit with President Bush.

In his welcoming remarks, Mexico's conservative new leader touted the military raids he has launched against drug-related violence and challenged the United States to kick its drug addictions.

"My government has done its part, reclaiming the streets and plazas from the claws of crime and drugs," Calderón said.

Gee, I wonder if Calderon will offer to Guatemala and the other Central American countries the same that he wants from the US? -mm