by Andrés Manuel López Obrador
- Rejection of all interventionist behavior, Andrés Manuel López Obrador warns in a letter to Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State.
- Ready to "defend our right as a free and sovereign Nation"
- "It is an error to want to confront the problems of insecurity and violence with only an iron fist, soldiers, jails, tougher laws, and stiffer penalties."
Mexico City. March 25, 2009
Mrs. Hillary Clinton
Secretary of State
Government of the United States of America
Presente
Esteemed Mrs. Clinton:
Even though only Mexicans can confront and resolve our homeland's internal issues, we consider it to be pertinent, given what you represent, to express to you the feelings of millions of citizens who struggle daily in order to make justice and democracy a reality in Mexico.
From our point of view, the problems of insecurity and violence in our country have arisen from the prevailing corruption and impunity, and because there hasn't been economic growth for 26 years and millions of youths have been marginalized from education and haven't had work opportunities.
You surely know that all of this began when a group of about 30 traffickers of influence and corrupt politicians, using the cover of so-called neoliberal economic policies, took control of the Mexican State, as well as a good part of national and so-called public goods. And these policies of pillaging that has enriched a minority in an exaggerated and obscene manner, in a way that has not occurred in any other part of the world, has condemned the Mexican people to exile and survival.
That is why we believe that it is an error to want to confront the problems of insecurity and violence with only an iron fist, with soldiers, with prisons, with tougher laws, and with stiffer penalties. The solution to the scourge of criminality lies in rescuing the State, in changing the current economic model, and in guaranteeing the people better living and working conditions. It can't be forgotten that peace and tranquility are fruits of justice.
Mrs. Clinton: As a result, as we have also made known to President Barack Obama, we maintain that the solution to the phenomena of migration and insecurity will not be found in the construction of walls nor in border militarization. Rather, it will be found in Mexico's social and economic development.
Therefore, it is essential that the relationship between Mexico and the United States is built upon cooperation for development and not in the use of coercive measures.
Likewise, we express to you that even though we suffer from a usurper and failed government, whose weakness could lead it to enter into agreements that go against the national interest, a strong citizen movement also exists that is determined to impede any interventionist behavior and to defend our rights as a free and sovereign nation.
We respectfully send you our regards and we wish you a nice stay in our country.
Sincerely,
Andrés Manuel López Obrador
Legitimate President of Mexico
Translated from Por Esto!
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The Latin American
Submitted March 28, 2009 - 5:58 pm by Lisa Pelletier (not verified)The Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy, led by three former Latin American heads of state led by three former Latin American heads of state, has stated clearly that the "drug war" model doesn't work. You have said so yourself. So, why are you repeating the mistakes of the past (i.e. Plan Colombia) by militarizing the Mexican border? Drug abuse should be treated as a public health issue through policies that emphasize harm reduction. We also need stronger gun control ordinances to keep weaponry out of the hands of the cartels. Here are the recommendations by the Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy: treat addicts as patients in the public health system; evaluate decriminalisation of drugs; and reduce consumption through public education campaigns primarily directed at youth. Please read the report and take these recommnedations seriously. Thank you.