Patrick Leahy: “as one Member of Congress who believes that we have a strong interest in broadcasting and strengthening our relations…”

“as one Member of Congress who believes that we have a strong interest in broadcasting and strengthening our relations with Mexico, I was appalled to read a recent Washington Post article entitled ``Three Americans Jailed in Bizarre Mexican Land Dispute.'' Mexico is a country of 100 million people. We share a border. We share a wide range of cultural, economic, political, and other interests. Yet our history has been a troubled one, and the election of Vicente Fox offered an historic opportunity to begin to build a new relationship based on trust, mutual understanding, and shared goals. Regrettably, President Bush, who shortly after his inauguration spoke convincingly of his intention to give a high priority to U.S.-Mexican relations, has failed to turn those words into action. Little has been accomplished. I am afraid that once again, the hopes and aspirations of both Mexicans and Americans will be for naught. The President needs to recognize that as important as the Middle East and the Persian Gulf are to U.S. and global security, we have vital interests right here in our own hemisphere.”