Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Nation & World


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 12:00 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Labor groups oppose Mexican aid package

A major U.S. counterdrug aid package for Mexico is under attack by U.S. organized labor, which says Congress should reject the initiative...

McClatchy Newspapers; McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — A major U.S. counterdrug aid package for Mexico is under attack by U.S. organized labor, which says Congress should reject the initiative unless tough human-rights conditions are included, according to a letter revealed Friday.

The opposition by the AFL-CIO and other labor groups adds another obstacle to a three-year, $1.4 billion program for Mexico known as the Merida Initiative. It already faces cutbacks for budgetary reasons and objections from human-rights groups, which say that Mexican security forces have a history of abuses.

In an April 30 letter to House Foreign Affairs Committee members Reps. Howard Berman, D-Calif., and William Delahunt, D-Mass., the AFL-CIO said that fighting drug trafficking is "an important and legitimate foreign policy objective."

But the group cited labor abuses in Mexico and considered the strategy "ineffective." Providing eight military helicopters — meant to quickly move security forces to remote places where drug gangs operate — was "of questionable value," the letter said.

House budget writers are expected to cut the first part of the Merida funding from $500 million to less than $300 million.

Merida Initiative supporter Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., the chairman of the Western Hemisphere subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said at a hearing Thursday that he was "disappointed" at the funding cut and would attempt to overturn the decision.

But with U.S. unions now firmly opposed, passing Merida will become even harder, congressional aides acknowledge. Key senators are also wary.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Nation & World headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Obama seeks equal partnership in Asia

NYC trial for 9/11 suspects poses risks

Madoff employees arrested

Fort Hood gunman contacted Pakistan, lawmaker says

Immigration on White House agenda

Advertising

Video

Girls Soccer: Mercer Island vs. Glacier Peak
Mercer Island defeats Glacier Peak, 2-1, in a 3A state playoff quarterfinal on Saturday, Nov. 14.

Smash Putt! Miniature Golf
Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Video shows violent arrest by SPD
Fort Lewis Memorial
Highlights: Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Seattle International Cabaret Festival
Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Medal of Honor
Pelosi answers questions at Swedish Medical Center

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising