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RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #6046/01 3392116
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 052116Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9798
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0104
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAHLA/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RHMFIUU/CDR USNORTHCOM
RHMFIUU/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MEXICO 006046 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/MEX, INR, INL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON MX
SUBJECT:  DEPUTY SECRETARY VISIT TO MEXICO DEMONSTRATES 
U.S. RESOLVE, STRENGTHENS MEXICAN SUPPORT FOR MERIDA 
INITIATIVE 
 
 
MEXICO 00006046  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary:  This is the first of five cables 
reporting on the October 29-31 visit to Mexico City by Deputy 
Secretary Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State for 
 
SIPDIS 
Western Hemisphere Affairs Tom Shannon. In meetings with 
government leaders, opinion makers and members of civil 
society, Ambassador Negroponte underscored that Calderon,s 
commitment to better law enforcement and security cooperation 
is matched by that of President Bush, that partnership 
between our two countries underpins our strategy to implement 
the recently announced Merida Initiative, and that soundings 
in the U.S. congress have demonstrated general support for 
the concept. 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  The Deputy Secretary got a first-hand look at 
Mexico,s political landscape and some of the challenges 
facing the initiative.  However, despite some misgivings 
among congressional contacts with the manner in which the 
Mexican government had handled its launch in Mexico (reported 
in Septel), no one with whom the Deputy Secretary spoke 
raised serious concerns with the prospect of enhanced law 
enforcement cooperation; most agreed that it is warranted by 
circumstances here.  End Summary. 
 
Foreign Secretary Espinosa Outlines Political Challenges GOM 
Faces 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  The Deputy Secretary launched his Mexico City 
visit with a working lunch at Mexico,s Foreign Affairs 
Secretariat (SRE) with the GOM strategic core group that 
 
SIPDIS 
worked with USG counterparts in recent months to give shape 
to the Merida Initiative.   Host Patricia Espinosa (Secretary 
for Foreign Relations) shared with Negroponte her view that 
the consultations were &intense, delicate, professional, 
serious.8 In her view, they represented a new opportunity, 
and an unprecedented improvement in the bilateral working 
relationship. &Despite whatever happens, we've won.8 she 
stated. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Espinosa recounted her recent experiences in 
appearances before the Mexican Congress, in which members 
attacked the Calderon Administration for not consulting 
adequately regarding the Merida Initiative; Negroponte 
remarked that the reaction in Washington was very similar. 
The Foreign Secretary said that Mexican legislators seemed 
convinced that the GOM had signed off on a hidden agreement 
and insisted that she produce it.  Legislators also worried 
about conditions they believed the U.S. had imposed on 
Mexico. 
¶5.  (SBU)  Ambassador Negroponte noted that each government 
now needed to explain the new possibilities to each Congress 
and to mold public perceptions to overcome any resistance. 
Other topics raised included the Mexican move in January 2008 
to centralized passport issuance and the future of the 
Bilateral Commission. 
 
Deputy Secretary Underscores U.S. Commitment to President 
Calderon 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  In a relaxed and friendly meeting with President 
Calderon, the Deputy Secretary, accompanied by Assistant 
Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Tom Shannon 
 
SIPDIS 
and Ambassador Garza, discussed the significant increase in 
narcotics-related crime in Mexico since his tenure here as 
Ambassador, and noted with satisfaction the deepened 
commitment of the Mexican government in fighting it.  The 
Merida imitative marks a significant step forward, and 
signals the recognition of our common interest in acting 
together resolutely. 
¶7.  (SBU)  Ambassador Negroponte outlined the efforts the 
State Department had undertaken since the package's 
announcement to get Congress's approval of the package. 
Senior officials had already engaged widely with key 
Congressional leaders and staff and would continue to do so 
in coming weeks.  He noted that State's initial soundings 
were positive.   A few members of Congress had registered the 
same "process" concerns that had been aired in Mexico (i.e. 
that Congress had not been adequately consulted prior to the 
Merida Initiative's "launch").   No member, however, has yet 
raised serious objections to the proposal itself.  However, 
he noted, given the realities of Congress's budget process, 
 
MEXICO 00006046  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
formal Congressional approval would be a matter of months, 
not weeks. 
 
 
 
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American 
Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / 
GARZA