Press Releases 08
United States Assisting in Investigation of Tragic Crash
Statement by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza
Mexico City, November 5, 2008 - “I awoke this morning, reflecting
on the tragic crash last night that took the lives of Secretary
of Government Juan Camilo Mourino, former SIEDO head Jose
Luis Santiago Vasconcelos, our former colleague at SRE Miguel
Monterrubio – whom I knew personally – and so many other victims.
My heart truly goes out to their families, and I offer my
solidarity and sympathy in these trying moments.
“This is a tragic loss for Mexico. I have had the honor of
knowing and working with these excellent men on many important
facets of our bilateral relationship. I have always admired
the dedication and intelligence of Juan Camilo Mourino. I
have the greatest respect for the sheer bravery of Santiago
Vasconcelos. I remember well the friendly collegiality of
Miguel Monterrubio. Their loss will rightly be mourned by
the whole nation.
“Part of grieving is the desire to know exactly what happened.
It is important to reserve judgment on the cause of the crash
until investigations are completed. At the invitation of the
Mexican government, the United States will do all it can to
assist in the investigation that Mexican authorities immediately
initiated into this tragic accident. Two Federal Aviation
Administration investigators here in Mexico on other business
were called to the scene last night and are working closely
with Mexican investigators. A team of investigators from the
National Transportation Safety Board arrived this morning
from Washington, D.C., and will coordinate with the Mexicans
leading the investigation to support them however they can.
They will be further supported by the United States’ best
evidence analysts, the Washington-based Evidence Response
Team, which was recently involved in the investigation of
a Lear jet crash in South Carolina.
“I would ask that we all hold in our thoughts and in our prayers
all the victims of this terrible accident, both those aboard
the plane and those killed and injured on the ground. Today
we not only mourn the loss of our friends and colleagues,
but stand in solidarity with the Mexican people.”
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