Press Releases 08
Merida Initiative Monies Released; Letter of Agreement Signed
Statement by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza
Mexico City, December 3, 2008 - “Today, together with my
colleague from the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Relations,
Under Secretary for North American Affairs, Ambassador Carlos
Rico Ferrat, it was my privilege to sign the Letter of Agreement
between Mexico and the United States that will allow for implementation
of the Merida Initiative. For the past year-and-a-half, our
two countries have been working together to bring this initiative
to fruition. Today we can be proud that our work has fortified
our nations’ efforts to confront the menace of narco-trafficking
and organized crime.
“Signature of the Letter of Agreement today makes available
$197 million dollars of the $400 million the U.S. Congress
approved in fiscal year 2008 supplemental funds. More than
$136 million is already being used in the fight against crime
through military cooperation and Economic Support Fund accounts,
which also form part of the Merida Initiative. The remainder
of the $400 million consists of $43 million which the U.S.
Congress will release once we have met internal reporting
requirements, and $24 million to develop and administer the
Initiative. This $400 million from the FY2008 supplemental
spending bill represents the first installment of the $1.4
billion in support the United States has committed to provide
over the next three years.
“Together, the governments of the United States and Mexico
will continue to fight the scourge of drugs and narcotrafficking,
but in order to succeed we will need the support of the people
of both our countries. I am confident that, together, we will
succeed in bringing greater security and prosperity to our
nations.”
To read Ambassador Garza’s remarks at the signing of the
Letter of Agreement, click here: http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/eng/Ambassador/eA081203Jointdeclaration.html
To read the Joint Declaration on the Merida Initiative, click
here:
http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/releases/12-03-08_jointdeclaration_eng.doc
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