Following New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's declaration of a state of emergency in four border counties on Friday, | Bill Richardson makes his opening gambit in Decision 2008. Hillary Clinton and GOP hopefuls, call your offices. |
the Chihuahua state government called for greater cross-border dialogue to improve regional security. Richardson on Friday declared the area an emergency zone in order to get more federal funds to build a border fence and boost law enforcement with the aim of reducing crime related to drug and migrant trafficking and cattle rustling. He said Mexican authorities are doing their best to fight the problems but lack funds.| "I'm only trying to help out a neighbor in need here. But I can't do it alone. Send in the Marines." |
On Saturday, the state of Chihuahua issued a statement in response. "We understand the concern of the New Mexican governor with defending the rights of his citizens and we will offer all the support we can to continue our good relationship with our northern neighbor," it read. The statement said the key to success will be better communication between the states' authorities. Chihuahua shares a 300 km. (186 mile) border with New Mexico. The principal population centers in the area are Ciudad Juárez and Palomas in Chihuahua and Deming and Columbus in New Mexico.| "Yipes. U.S. troops have really good guns and no sense of humor, plus they are really hard to bribe. Let's talk about this." |
On Friday, the Foreign Relations Secretariat said Richardson's declaration doesn't "jibe with the spirit of cooperation and understanding" and called for a meeting "to promote appropriate actions." |