Interview With Televisa

QUESTION: What does the U.S. expect from Mexico regarding this Merida Initiative?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Well, it is not a question of one party expecting something from the other. It is rather an effort to face this wave of transnational crime – drug trafficking, etc. – that has resulted in a great deal of violence in your country as well as along our border, and to see how we can best and more intensely cooperate to deal with this problem that prevents economic and social development in our respective countries.

QUESTION: From the U.S. viewpoint, what does Mexico have to do in this regard?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Well, you make the question sound as if it were a demand from us, and it is rather a response from us. It is a response to the suggestion your President made in Merida, when they met together, so that cooperation would increase. It is a strategic cooperation between our two countries to fight this common problem. This is the idea.

QUESTION: What is the difference between the Mexico Initiative and the Plan Colombia?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: First of all, the situations are different. What I would say is that this is an effort to respond to the suggestion of your President to increase cooperation. It is a matter of providing equipment, several types of training. Everything is within the framework of respect for the sovereignty of your country, and according to the ideas and the preferences of your government.

QUESTION: Would this training mean that U.S. personnel would come to Mexico to train Mexicans or Mexicans would go to the U.S. for training?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Not necessarily. The initiative has to do with professionalization, with exchanges to compare notes about best practices in both countries, and also to facilitate the study of the best practices in other nations, for instance, regarding the administration of justice.

QUESTION: With regards to the budget you would like to put forward for the Merida Initiative, the Congress and the Senate still have to approve it, how do you feel about getting their authorization?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Up to now, the U.S. Congressmen and Senators we have spoken to have reacted favorably. Obviously, their approval is required. Our President and our Secretary of State are very committed to this Initiative. Therefore, I believe there is a good possibility – rather it is very probable – that we will be able to get the required funding.

QUESTION: Some see the Merida Initiative as an open door for undercover DEA and FBI agents to enter Mexico, what can you tell us about this?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: First of all, I want to emphasize that this program, this initiative has been designed in full cooperation with your government. Actually, is a response to several suggestions. Bilateral working groups worked on each of the subject matters – interdiction, equipments, air and sea equipment. Everything was discussed on the basis of the suggestions and requests from the Mexican side. Therefore, I do not believe that there is a risk that the sovereignty of your country would be affected in any way. Rather, as I said before, it is a matter of cooperation in the face of a common problem.

QUESTION: In other words, undercover U.S. agents will not enter into Mexico?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: No. Undercover? No. There is already cooperation between the DEA and your government. It is a very close collaboration and your government has a list of all the agency’s personnel.

QUESTION: About how many agents are in Mexico?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: I could not tell you. I know what the number was when I was the Ambassador here 20 years ago. But they are agents who cooperate with your authorities in this fight against drug trafficking. And, as I understand it, your government very much appreciates this cooperation.

QUESTION: It is foreseeable that the number of agents may increase?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Not necessarily.

QUESTION: But, it is possible?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Regarding a specific training program, yes. However, as far as I know, there has been no discussion regarding an increase in the number of those already assigned to the Embassy.

QUESTION: Deputy Secretary Negroponte, several years ago the U.S. government donated equipment, actually helicopters to Mexico. Some of them did not function, and some actually crashed. How will a similar situation be prevented in the Merida Initiative, that we receive equipment practically (inaudible)?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Yes, this was a problem. We acknowledge it and obviously we will do everything possible to prevent this from happening again. It is a matter of looking for the best available equipment.

QUESTION: On another subject, migration, it is felt in Mexico that there is, let’s say, double talk. On the one hand, there is talk of openness on the migration issue; but on the other hand, in reality, we see that there is no such opening, let’s say, with the building of the wall. What is in reality the U.S. immigration policy towards Mexico now and in the short term, in the next few years?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Well, first of all, you know that ours is a country of immigrants. The number of our countrymen of Mexican descent has increased constantly. I believe there are over 20 or almost 25 million living in our country, and I believe this is a trend that will continue. We made an effort in the last few months to have a new immigration reform law. We did not succeed. However, President Bush’s policy is that there is a need to reform the immigration law, even though we are not very optimistic that it would be possible to achieve this between now and the end of this administration. Nevertheless, immigration will continue to be a defining issue in the relationship between our two countries.

QUESTION: How can there be an opening regarding the immigration issue and at the same time a toughening of the security with the Merida Initiative?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: I believe these are in a way two different issues. Right? The insecurity in the border area, the insecurity that affects your country is something we all want to control because it prevents economic development, it prevents Mexicans from realizing their aspirations. It is something very important to control.

QUESTION: There is another issue, yesterday you met with Senator Beltrones, was this a private meeting, was it a meeting with other…?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: We had dinner. Ambassador [Garza] invited several Senators and Congressmen to a gathering, a dinner where we spoke about several common interest issues – they were from the three [major Mexican] parties.

QUESTION: Was it a friendly gathering, an official one, how should one see it?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: It was a get together with leaders from the three [major] parties – the PAN, the PRD and the PRI – to talk about the Merida Initiative and other issues dealing with the relations between our two countries.

QUESTION: Had you met Senator Beltrones before?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Yes, he was the Deputy Secretary of Government, he was also the governor of his state, and later a Senator. I have known him since my time as Ambassador here.

QUESTION: Were you close, were you friends…?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: We had a perfectly appropriate relationship. We are friends. I feel Mr. Beltrones is a friend of mine.

QUESTION: Several days ago, former President Fox accused Senator Beltrones of having had ties with drug trafficking, and he even mentioned a DEA investigation. Did you know about this investigation?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: I believe there were allegations many years ago, but nothing definitive resulted. I have never thought Mr. Beltrones to be involved in such activities.

QUESTION: When you found out about this meeting, did such charges cross your mind?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: No. No. I see Mr. Beltrones as a friend, and as a person who has represented his government and his party in a professional manner throughout the years.

QUESTION: What do you think about former President Fox’s opinion?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: I wouldn’t know what to say.

QUESTION: But you do not think Mr. Beltrones might have any kind of ties…?

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: As I said, not that I know of.

QUESTION: Very well. Thank you very much.

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Thank you, it was a pleasure.