Saturday, May 10, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
Labor groups oppose Mexican aid package
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
NEW - 11:26 AM
OJ judge known for stern lectures, stiff sentences
UPDATE - 01:55 PM
Suicide blasts kill 17 as Iraqi council OKs pact
Report: Ground lost on bioterror
Terrorist Ressam recants everything he said as informant
Michelle Obama's family: From slavery to White House

nwjobs


Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Dotcom Reunion Party -- tonight, Dec. 1
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new SUV? Weigh the impact your choice will have on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
nwhomes

Find a new home or condo that fits your lifestyle.
Search New Developments
Builder Directory
- Baby dies sleeping in car with parents in Lakewood
- Huskies Coaching Search | Texas Tech coach Mike Leach meets with UW
- Relative of slain Carnation family talks about the aftermath
- Mariners sign free agent Russell Branyan, hire Rick Adair, John Wetteland as coaches
- USC's Steve Sarkisian is added to Washington's coach list
- Atheists want God out of Ky. homeland security
- "Impeach Bush" ornament nixed
- State suspends Seattle doctor's license in sex case
- Mumbai attackers went high-tech
- Fox shows Olympia sign; calls come pouring in
- Danny Westneat | Real-estate bargains in the mist
- Michelle Obama's family: From slavery to White House
- Ancient pot stash found in China
- Washington banks trail industry in key indicators
- No woman is an island — unless she's on San Juan, offseason
- Ex-prosecutor's review finds fraud at Port of Seattle
- Nancy Leson | Good old Abruzzi's is back
- Huskies Coaching Search | Texas Tech coach Mike Leach meets with UW
- List grows; 9 Seattle schools could be cut
- "Impeach Bush" ornament nixed






