Home safe: U.S. says security concerns will bolster rather than damage bilateral relations. (Spotlight).New measures demanded by U.S. lawmakers to counter the threat of terrorism in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks have created a daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin task for U.S. Homeland Security Noun 1. Homeland Security - the federal department that administers all matters relating to homeland security Department of Homeland Security executive department - a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States Director Tom Ridge Thomas Joseph Ridge (born August 27 1945 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives (1983–1995), Governor of Pennsylvania (1995–2001), Assistant to the President for Homeland Security . During his two-day visit to Mexico this spring, Ridge sought to emphasize the importance of bilateral cooperation in sharing intelligence that will enable both sides to work together more effectively on what he described as a "smart border arrangement." UPGRADING THE BORDER Ridge's aim is to ensure that the shared 2,000-mile border becomes much more secure against would-be terrorists, drug traffickers and other gangs, such as the infamous pollero groups who extort To compel or coerce, as in a confession or information, by any means serving to overcome the other's power of resistance, thus making the confession or admission involuntary. To gain by wrongful methods; to obtain in an unlawful manner, as in to compel payments by means of threats of money to guide illegal migrants northwards. "Our nations enjoy one of the world's most dynamic and successful trading relationships, as well as demographic ties that are both rich and enduring. This requires that both countries approach border management prepared to embrace new ideas "New Ideas" is the debut single by Scottish New Wave/Indie Rock act The Dykeenies. It was first released as a Double A-side with "Will It Happen Tonight?" on July 17, 2006. The band also recorded a video for the track. and modern approaches that reflect the mutual respect, trust and responsibility (that lie) at the core of bilateral relationships," said Ridge. The lightning visit was also intended to reassure Mexico that the "War on Terrorism Terrorist acts and the threat of Terrorism have occupied the various law enforcement agencies in the U.S. government for many years. The Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, as amended by the usa patriot act " will not translate into U.S. isolationism isolationism National policy of avoiding political or economic entanglements with other countries. Isolationism has been a recurrent theme in U.S. history. It was given expression in the Farewell Address of Pres. and obstacles to bilateral trade, but instead help both countries join forces against the common foe. Accordingly, the countries provided high-level representatives from respective foreign secretariats, customs, immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. , treasury and defense departments for the two-day meeting. Ridge said that new technologies will enable a smoother flow of legitimate migration and trade, while helping to single out terrorist and criminal elements. "We envisage building on the collaboration that has developed over the past several years with new technology, including biometrics, sharing information between our various agencies, and basically a different approach not only to our land borders, but also to the borders of our airports and the borders defined by our sea ports as well," Ridge explained. No FORTRESS AMERICA Fortress America is a strategic board game published in 1986 by Milton Bradley. Fortress America was the fourth of five games in the Gamemaster series. Ridge also sought to sooth sooth Archaic adj. 1. Real; true. 2. Soft; smooth. n. Truth; reality. [Middle English, from Old English s local concerns about a massive escalation of border security, and twice pledged that militarizing the border is not and will never be an option. "I think it is very important to note that the use of some of our National Guard on our side of the border is simply to fill a temporary need to support our Customs Service. There will be no presence of the National Guard at the border, and once the Customs Service is able to recruit and train additional agents, the National Guard troops will be removed." Conference participants also expressed concern that post-Sept. 11 policies will stifle ongoing immigration initiatives, including the creation of a temporary guest worker visa. The media's perception is that such issues have been placed on the back burner Noun 1. back burner - reduced priority; "dozens of cases were put on the back burner" precedence, precedency, priority - status established in order of importance or urgency; "... since Sept. 11, although several U.S. officials have denied this (see Back on track? in the March edition of BUSINESS MEXICO). "While most of the public attention around the U.S.-Mexican relationship over the last couple of months has been directed publicly towards the borders, privately, the High-Level Working Group consisting of our Secretary of State Colin Powell, our Attorney General John Ashcroft, local Secretary of State Santiago Creel and Foreign Relations Secretary Jorge Castaneda, have been working on that issue separately from the discussions we've had about a 21st century smart border agreement. The private discussions about migration have not lost their intensity," Ridge insisted. In fact, the ever-closer working relationship between both governments is greatly facilitating cooperation on these and other issues, he added. In this sense, Ridge praised President Vicente Fox's administration for its openness and eagerness to work as a friend, partner and ally. "The record points us to only one conclusion, and this is that the extraordinary cooperation we have with President Fox's administration will only get better," said Ridge. James Blears is a Mexico City-based freelance writer and a correspondent far Standard Radio News in Mexico. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion