Secretary Condoleezza Rice delivered these remarks en route to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Secretary Rice. Well, let me just start with why I'm going to Mexico. I really strongly believe that if you look at the last eight years, that President Bush, and first, President Fox and, now, President Calderon have built a fundamentally transformed U.S.-Mexican relationship. We are doing things together with Mexico, things together with Mexico and Canada that I think would have been really unimagined a number of years ago. Merida is one of those initiatives.

But if you look at all the work that's been done in the SPP, if you look at all the work that's now going to, I think, be done through the pathways process, and the fact that Mexico is about to become a member of the Security Council, and we therefore will have shared global interests, I think it's really been a relationship that's developed and broadened and deepened very noticeably over the last several years.

So I'll go and have a chance to talk with Patricia Espinosa, my colleague, about that and about various specific issues on the agenda. But really, if you just step back and look strategically, the U.S.-Mexican relationship, I think, has never been better, and it's never been broader in the questions that we address together, and it's never been deeper. So that's the reason for going, and it gives us a chance to go outside of Mexico City, outside of Washington, to a more relaxed place where we can sit and have discussions about the broad issues.

You know, we deal with the daily issues of the relationship all the time, Tom and his counterparts do. But I think this will give us a chance to step back and reflect on some of the broader issues now.

Q. Just on the—yeah, broader issues, just about what (inaudible)?

Secretary Rice. Well, as I said, Mexico's global role now as it becomes a member of the Security Council, the work that we're doing together in the development agenda, in the trade agenda, in the law enforcement and security, which of course is a major concern. We'll talk about Merida in a minute. But it's a very broad relationship.

Q. When will you start funding the Merida Initiative?

Secretary Rice. This is an initiative that we consider to be of the utmost importance. We consider it to be an initiative for which there is urgency. It got through the Congress really very, very quickly. We were working out some letters of agreement, which I think will be done soon, and the money will start to flow because this is a national security priority for Mexico and it's a national security priority for the United States.

Q. (Inaudible) of the letter of agreement? Who does that and how does it happen? Do you eventually have to sign it with them?

Secretary Rice. We'll let Tom talk about the details of the—

Assistant Secretary Shannon. Letters of agreement between governments, so these are worked out between the Mexican Government and the U.S. Government. We're currently working on two letters of agreement: one to cover the Merida spending and one to cover the 2008 spending. Remember, the Merida spending comes through a supplemental, so it's separate from the normal 2008 spending. And so we've got one which will cover the 400 million in Merida and the other covers—I don't know the exact figure— it's between 30 and 40 million in the normal 2008 funding.

Those are going to be completed very, very soon and we've been working really hard with the Mexican Foreign Ministry on this. These are important letters because they deal with the nuts and bolts of exchanges of equipment and assistance, and therefore, they need to be very carefully worked. But we feel very good about how we've been working with the Mexicans, and it should be done shortly.

Q. So in a matter of weeks or—

Assistant Secretary Shannon. Yeah, I mean, again, these are working through a bureaucratic process, so I think it'll be sooner than weeks, but—

Q. Okay.

Assistant Secretary Shannon. But it's hard to put a timeframe on it. And it's important to note that the LOAs only cover part of the money. There is money, both our FMF and our ESF money, that can start moving now that we have our spending program agreed on by the Congress, so that the letters of agreement only cover about half in total of the money.

Q. Is there an issue with the transition and this program? You know, I mean, here we are in October—late October. Do you think it needs to be managed in terms of—

Secretary Rice. Well, first of all, I think this program is going to be—is and will be on very sound footing when President Bush leaves office. And there are a number of months still to make certain that the program is really on firm footing and moving forward. We're going to have, for instance, a high-level consultative group to bring together, at the cabinet level, the principal officers who will be responsible for this program sometime in the next few weeks. We don't have a date just yet.

And I also know that this is a program that has strong bipartisan support, because as I said, it's a national security priority for both Mexico and the United States. And so I don't expect that there will be any difficulties, but it will be on a firm footing before the President leaves office in any case.

Q. Can you spell out more why it's very urgent? I mean, obviously, we're seeing unprecedented violence and it's spilling over the border.

Secretary Rice. Well, I think it's urgent because of the security situation. I mean, that's really its origin. And by the way, I would just—

Q. What are the risks, though, in terms—if you don't stop it now, what are the risks?

Secretary Rice. Well, the case for Merida was made, and I think was supported in the Congress, which is that we do face, with Mexico—Mexico faces unprecedented difficulties in terms of crime and the links between crime and drugs. And obviously, that has, given our long shared border, significant implications for the United States as well.

We also, I would remind you, have a portion of this that is Central American as well, where there is an integrated program for Central America. Because if you think of it as sort of flowing upward. There's been well advertised, well known cases, for instance, what happened in Guatemala, just as an example of the problems in Central America.

So it's a total package, and we fully expect that it's going to be implemented and implemented soon. And the (inaudible) with the CARICOM countries a couple of weeks ago, we talked to them about how they might fit into some of the prevention mechanisms or prevention measures that need to be taken.

Q. What about the—isn't there like, 15 percent of the money that can't be released until you have to report that certain conditions have been met by the Mexican army, I think?

Secretary Rice. Well, the concern has been about human rights issues with the Mexican army, but I know the commitment of the Calderon government to professional behavior on the part of the Mexican police and the Mexican armed forces. And I think everybody understands that this is a Mexican Government that is absolutely committed to the rule of law, absolutely committed to the professionalization of its security services, and I'm confident that I and my successors are going to be in good shape on that that piece of it.

Q. And do you expect you'll be able to (inaudible)?

Secretary Rice. Well, you know, we'll take the certification, and we'll look at the facts. But I do know the tremendous commitment of this government, the Calderon government, to professional security forces.

Q. Can we switch to Iraq, or is there any other question on—

Secretary Rice. Anything on Mexico?

Q. Yeah, are you going to talk about other issues like border (inaudible) or immigration with Secretary Espinosa?

Secretary Rice. Well, perhaps to a certain extent. I mean, look, I think that we all recognize that President Bush had very much wanted to get a comprehensive immigration plan done, immigration law done. It didn't happen. And it leaves us and Mexico with that concern. But we've tried, and Mexico, I think, has tried to be responsible in terms of our laws and the importance of upholding our laws. But there's no doubt that there needs to be comprehensive immigration reform, and I hope the next leadership will take it up, the next president will take it up.

Q. Yeah. Last question. How concerned in the U.S. administration from the effects of the crisis on the Mexican economy?

Secretary Rice. The financial crisis?

Q. Yeah, financial crisis.

Secretary Rice. Well, first of all, Mexico will be represented at the leaders meeting that will take place because it will be a G-20 meeting, so Mexico will be represented there. And that's a very good thing. But it's—the Mexican economy—the Mexicans have made some good decisions over the last several years, as far as we can see, and they're continuing to operate from a strong position. But they, like everybody else, are being buffeted by the global financial crisis and also by the slowdown economically. And of course, the slowdown economically in the United States has an effect on the Mexican economy as well.

But I think this is, like the U.S. economy (inaudible) get through this economic slowdown. I think we're all going to continue to see the benefits of being in a trade relationship that allows export. But no doubt about it, Mexico has been buffeted by the same financial winds that everyone else has.

Q. Isn't it perhaps just another challenge on things like the drug war? I mean, aren't you worried that Mexico may have trouble fighting this war (inaudible)?

Secretary Rice. No, I think Mexico is going to do everything that they can to provide security and safety for their people, and security and safety along the border.

Q. What have the Iraqis told you about what their problems are with this?

Secretary Rice. You know that we've continued to discuss issues of jurisdiction, we've continued to discuss nuts and bolts issues like detainees and what will happen of them. But I believe these things will get worked out because both sides have a great interest in getting this done. But we believe that this is an agreement—the agreement that the negotiators have worked out—that both protects our troops and respects Iraqi sovereignty.

And the Iraqi leadership, which after all has overseen these negotiations, I assume is making that case to the various bodies as it goes through, but part of it is that they've decided to take it through several bodies, and as you take it through bodies, more and more questions get raised. But I'm quite confident in the strength of this agreement.

Q. Is this basically your last offer, I mean, as far as an agreement goes?

Secretary Rice. I think it's a good agreement.

Q. There's some room, some flexibility?

Secretary Rice. It's a good agreement, and we have done everything that we can to make certain both that our troops are protected and that Iraqi sovereignty is respected.

Q. The Iraqis said that the U.S. is bullying them. There was something about maybe the U.S. would control security for Maliki. I think that seems to have hurt them. What can you say about that?

Secretary Rice. What I would say is that Iraq has a strong interest in making sure that coalition forces, U.S. forces, can remain in Iraq long enough to secure the gains that have been made and long enough for Iraqi security forces to be able to take up their rightful place as defending Iraq. But I don't think that anybody believes that they are capable of doing that alone right now.

Secretary Condoleezza Rice was interviewed by Televisa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Secretary Rice. Well, the Merida Initiative is, first let me say, one of the most important initiatives, I think, the United States and Mexico have ever launched. It's historic. It will make Americans more secure, but it will, of course, most importantly, make Mexicans more secure, again, in the shared space that we have.

It is an agreement that we consider to be one that we want to move forward urgently. We have the plan for spending that our Congress has approved. We're now doing letters of agreement with the Mexican Government. That work is well underway. And I believe that we'll be able to start the disbursements soon.

There are some aspects of the funding that can go forward, and we're pushing that forward. But these bureaucratic matters are not going to get in the way. This is an important initiative. It has to go forward urgently. Aspects like information sharing and the like are really already underway.

Q. Armed agents, for instance.

Secretary Rice. Yes. And so we think that this is—armed agents? No. We're going to respect Mexican law, and the Mexican Government is in control on this issue. And my colleague Patricia just addressed this downstairs.

Q. There won't be American agents armed in the Mexican territory?

Secretary Rice. We will—the Mexican Government has complete control over how this is carried out. But this is to make Mexican security forces more capable, not to impose American security forces on Mexico.

Q. Tell me about the funds, because there has been a debate about this and when the funds are coming finally.

Secretary Rice. Yes. Well, the funds will come, and they will come, I think, very soon. There is a letter—there are letters of agreement that have to be completed for part of the funding, and that is being done. But I just want to assure you that we understand the urgency of this. It's urgent for Mexico. It's urgent for the United States. We have the spending plan approved by Congress, and we'll move this forward.

Q. So it's your feeling that before the Administration is finished—

Secretary Rice. Oh, I certainly believe that, yes.

Q.—the plan is—

Secretary Rice. I certainly hope so. And we—we're moving very rapidly and—

Q. (Inaudible.)

Secretary Rice. We want to wrap this up, yes.

Q. Tell me your opinion about the strategy of Mexico against drug trafficking and criminal activity. It's the right plan?

Secretary Rice. Well, first of all, Mexico is a democratic country with a democratically elected president who has gone to his people, gone to his legislative branch, and developed this strategy. And I—we are going to be supportive of that. We have enormous confidence in President Calderon. We have enormous confidence in his will to handle this very difficult problem of organized crime. We have confidence that the United States can help in the improvement of the capabilities, the equipment of Mexican security forces. But our confidence is in this democratically elected government to deliver for its people.

Q. It's the proper and right strategy?

Secretary Rice. Well, the strategy is one developed by Mexicans. We are helping in—helping to find the capability to deliver on that strategy. But I see no other way than to be very tough on organized crime, to be capable of dealing with these very violent people who are trying to terrorize the population, who are trying to carry out their criminal activities. I see no other way.

Again, we have enormous confidence in President Calderon and his ability to execute the strategy. And I think the—our Mexican counterparts would say that there are already very strong efforts going on. It was described to us, the many, many caches of weapons and ammunition that have been found. Of course, there have also been arrests. And I—this is going to continue. But again, we have a lot of confidence in President Calderon.

Q. Tell me something, you are about to finish your job as Secretary of State.

Secretary Rice. Yes.

Q. And how do you make a balance of these four years and—globally over all the eight years of the Administration?

Secretary Rice. Yes. Well, the President, I think, has governed in very difficult times—

Q. Yes.

Secretary Rice.—times when the terrorist threat became more evident, when cross-border threats, even of the kind that we were just talking about, criminal activity across borders, drug trafficking, arms tracking, which we've worked very hard on with Mexico. And I think we have developed some partnerships around the world, but especially near the hemisphere to help us deal with these problems.

The President has also stood very strongly for freedom and liberty for people around the world, saying that there's no exception; no one should have to live in tyranny. And in our own hemisphere, that has been speaking out for the rights of people in Cuba, but it's also meant speaking out for the consolidation of democracy throughout the hemisphere. And we've worked well with partners from the left and right.

You know, I think this President has really changed our approach to Latin America, which, quite frankly and sadly, for a while was seen through a Cold War prism. If you were from the left, you were against us, because that was associated somehow with the Cold War. We've wiped that away. And we have excellent relations with governments of the left and with governments of the right. The only thing in common is that they govern democratically, they're trying to invest in their people, they are accountable to their people, they're fighting corruption. And I think the United States has been a really good partner in Latin America (inaudible).

Q. So you are satisfied in general?

Secretary Rice. Yes. It's a complicated time. And times of historic change are always turbulent. I'm enough of a student of international history to know that these changes are always turbulent. When you look back on them, it seems that everything went smoothly. But in the middle, it's always turbulent. And we've made good friendships and good partnerships that have helped to navigate these difficult times. I think, finally, the President has been a major proponent of using the Security Council, the United Nations, to do things that are hard. And Mexico will now take up its position on the Security Council.

Q. Council—yes.

Secretary Rice. We're very pleased at that, because Mexico is a responsible state that I think will help the Security Council to do the hard things that, if diplomacy is going to work, the Security Council has to be able to do.

Q. If you have to put a mark between one and ten about the foreign relations of the U.S. Government for the last eight years, what would it be?

Secretary Rice. Oh, I can't really answer that. Historians will answer that question. You know, it's—I—again, I'm a student of international history. And today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same, because big historical changes take a while to play out. And it's only after they've played out you see that, indeed, it has mattered that the United States has doubled development assistance in Latin America and tripled it worldwide; that the United States has stood for freedom for people and empowerment of women; that we have fought to build alliances to deal with violent people, terrorists and organized crime and drug traffickers and arms traffickers; that the United States has helped a country like Colombia come back from the brink of being a failed state to now being a functioning, strong democracy. Those are the kinds of events that take time to unfold. But I think the judgment of this President will be very kind in history.

Q. Well, I know you have a very tight schedule. Tell me about your prognosis about Iraq and Afghanistan and Russia and these very sensible situations in the world which you have been dealing with.

Secretary Rice. Well, Iraq is an interesting place. It's now the first truly multiethnic democracy in the center of the Arab world that is going to function in that way.

Q. It seems very unstable, actually.

Secretary Rice. It—well, it is more stable now than it has been. Its security situation is improving. Its democratic government is functioning. Its Arab neighbors are coming to Iraq to get—be—to have embassies there. The King of Jordan was there. Iraq is emerging as a strong Arab state that will, by the way, be a different force in the Middle East than Saddam Hussein, who attacked his neighbors and caused major wars, causing millions of deaths, who used chemical weapons against his own people and against his neighbors, who drew the United States into war with him three times. Iraq will be a different, more stabilizing force in the Middle East.

I think it's also the case that Israelis and Palestinians are now in a process that will lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. I still hope that we can do it by end of the year. But they have their first serious process for peace in a decade.

And finally, I think that when you even look at a place like Afghanistan, which is difficult, Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world—really, really poor. It has experienced 30 years of civil war, including the invasion of the Soviet Union. And so it's not surprising that it's a hard place to construct a decent government. We talk about reconstruction. We're really helping the Afghans to construct modern institutions for the first time, and it's hard.

But in all of these cases, I think one has to understand that it takes time for countries to move and people to move from tyranny to democracy. And it's never smooth, but it is really the only course that is appropriate for human beings.

And finally, just to say a word about Russia, I had a long discussion with my counterpart, with Patricia about Russia. I—we have no problem with Russia wanting to have good relations in this hemisphere. No problem whatsoever. But they should be good relations and correct relations. And Russia should do nothing in terms of military armaments or building munitions plants in the hemisphere that are going to destabilize the military balance in this region. And so I hope that there will be good relations between Russia and the states of Latin America, but that they will be responsible relations.

Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Foreign Relations Secretary Patricia Espinosa delivered these remarks in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Secretary Espinosa. Good afternoon, to everyone and friends from the press. The visit to Puerto Vallarta of the Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice is a matter of great satisfaction for all of us here in Mexico. We have had a very fruitful working session. We have shared a broad range of bilateral issues where we have acknowledged, in particular, the relevance of achieving an (inaudible) to our cooperation.

Also, we have reinforced the relevance of the dialogue in regards to global and regional issues. This encounter has enabled us to analyze our economic links in the bilateral sphere and also within the regional arena. We highlighted some actions that we have to launch in order to cover the area of competitiveness in the region of North America. And we also talked about the complex condition through which the financial system is going through.

In regards to the bilateral issues, in particular, we have talked about different issues regarding the normalization of our global region. We are fully convinced of the fact that our common border must be an example of understanding and sustainable development in a shared basis.

In particular, we have talked about the relevance of continuing the implementation of the border infrastructure; likewise, this encounter allowed us to acknowledge the level of excellency that is present in the bilateral cooperation in fighting organized crime. The Merida plan is a sample of the maturity that we have reached in our cooperation in regards to our security and also the advancement of our shared responsibility and the strengthening of our institutions.

In regards to this particular issue, we would like to relate to you that we are foreseen to hold a first meeting of the high-level bilateral group in regards to the Merida plan by the end of November of this year in Washington, D.C. In the framework of this encounter, as you have witnessed, we have subscribed a bilateral agreement in regards to cooperation in the management of emergencies in cases of natural disasters and accidents that establishes guidelines of coordination and mutual support before these type of phenomenon.

In regards to the trilateral cooperation, we have talked about the relevance of the commitments embraced throughout the summit of leaders of North America that took place in New Orleans last April. As all of you know, Mexico will be the venue of the next summit that will take place during the second semester of the year of 2009. We also covered regional and global issues. We also covered the strengthening of the bilateral dialogue in the framework of the OAS, the United Nations organization, and the Summit of the Americas, and also the role that Mexico plays as a pro tempore secretary of the Rio Group.

We also talked about the recent election of Mexico as a non-permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations organization for the term 2009-2010, where Mexico will embrace its role with full responsibility and where we have also agreed to keep an open and permanent dialogue in regards to the issues that are touched upon in the Security Council.

I would like to conclude this brief introduction by pointing out the acknowledgement that Mexican Government makes to the Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice for her efforts in strengthening our bilateral relations, for having come over to visit us here today, here to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for us to have the privilege of an official visit on her behalf, and also for her commitment on behalf of the well-being of our communities and the strengthening of our relations.

I would like to personally express my testimonial of my gratitude for the friendship that Secretary Rice has distinguished me that, with no doubt, has assisted us to have a very fruitful relationship.

Secretary Rice. Well, thank you very much. I really have had a wonderful visit with you in this (inaudible) city. The beauty and grace of Puerto Vallarta is, of course, legendary. And it's been good to see just a small part of the city and I look forward to returning when I have a chance to enjoy everything that it has to offer. I want to thank you because this trip was your idea. It was the idea that we would gather in a more relaxed environment with a chance to spend, really, a good deal of time going in depth with intensity through the various issues on our bilateral agenda, on the regional agenda and on the global agenda.

And it would be a very good idea because I think these discussions have been productive and intense and will serve well as we go through the transition to make sure that the U.S.-Mexican relationship remains on the firm footing that President Calderon and President Bush and, before him, President Bush and President Fox have been able to develop.

We have indeed just signed an agreement that will improve our already close cooperation with Mexico on an issue that unfortunately greatly influences all. This is the management of responses of natural disasters and accidents, and I'm very pleased with this agreement. And in doing so, we recognize the historically close cooperation across our shared border. But of course, this is a broader agreement because it will help us to include natural disasters and accidents that might occur anywhere within our (inaudible).

In addition to this agreement, of course, as Patricia has said, we've had fruitful conversations on a broad range of issues of mutual interest. It's underscored the importance of this relationship, the closeness of it, the depth of it. In particular, we talked in depth about the historic and important Merida Initiative. They've already achieved an outstanding level of cooperation in our efforts to fight drug trafficking and organized crime. But this initiative takes our efforts to a new level. And I assured Patricia and we have talked about this among various officials that the United States considers this an important initiative and its implementation to be an urgent (inaudible). We are making a great deal of progress in getting to the point that we can disburse the funding for the initiative because this is an initiative that will, of course, help in the security of Mexico. It will also help in the security of the United States. And I look forward to hosting the high-level consultative group of all the relevant secretaries and ministers who will have responsibility for this in Washington sometime next month.

On the economic front, we talked about the close and dynamic ties that we have with NAFTA. This agreement continues to be a way to share prosperity and development, and it is important (inaudible) that regard recently launched (inaudible) prosperity initiative which will meet at the ministerial level in December (inaudible), is another step in the full implementation and we may fully take advantage of the agreements that we've signed. We, of course, had the discussion of the complex and difficult circumstances in the global financial system at this time and the effects on the global economy of the importance of affirming the need for changing for the importance of (inaudible), but also the importance of (inaudible) the fundamentals of the need for open markets, for free trade, for competitive economies. And I know that President Bush looks forward to hosting the heads of state, including President Calderon, to look at the critical issues that are facing the global financial system.

Finally, I want to say how really pleased we are and (inaudible) to Mexico on the election to the Security Council. Mexico is going to serve as a state that is a strong democracy that has an important regional and global role to play. Mexico is going to be a responsible member of the Security Council which, at this time, when it is going to make some challenging issues over the next few years, will need the wisdom and the strength of a country like Mexico in helping it to do its work.

And so again, Patricia, thank you for this excellent visit that we've had, and I look forward to seeing you soon again in Washington for—I think there will be a couple of other encounters before we are (inaudible).

Secretary Rice. Thank you very much. First of all, on Merida, as I said, this has been—this is an urgent matter. There is movement forward. The agreement—letters of agreement that need to be signed are being worked through and worked through with urgency and dispatch. It is true that the Congress approved the spending profile, spending plan that the United States has put together, and we're working very closely with Mexico to get the letters of agreement done because we all want the disbursements to begin. And we expect that to happen really quite soon.

As to the unfortunate incident in Monterrey concerning our Consulate, first of all, we have had excellent cooperation with the Mexican Government at both the local and at the national level. We understand that it is sometimes a challenging security environment in a number of cities. We are accustomed, of course—the United States of America—to working in challenging security environments. We will continue our work. We will, of course, do everything that we can to protect our people. But we are here in places like our Consulate in Monterrey to further our relationship, to press forward, to be out with the Mexican people, to provide services, and we're going to continue to do that. The United States of America is going to continue to do that. And we've just had excellent cooperation with the Mexican Government on this matter.

Q. Thank you. My name is Nestor Ikeda, an Associated Press reporter for Latin America. I have a question on Bolivia. And by U.S. Government request, the USTR has started a procedure to separate Bolivia from the Andean Trade Preferences Act (inaudible). And the motive for these, according to the Administration, is the country's lack of cooperation in the drug fight. So my question is, what do you think Bolivia needs to do in order not to be separated from (inaudible)?

Secretary Rice. Thank you. Well, first of all, let me just say that if we are—we think it's unfortunate that we have to separate Bolivia from the Andean Trade Preferences because we think that they benefit the Bolivian people, and that is what we have always wanted to do, is to be good friends to benefit the Bolivian people particularly. Of course, that's why we have such extensive aid programs to Bolivia.

I have to tell you that several times, as the certifications have come up during my time as Secretary, we have seen the increasing lack of cooperation from Bolivia. This wasn't the first time. I would say at least the last two times that Bolivia was up for certification, it was clear that we weren't getting the kind of cooperation that we needed. We told the Bolivian Government that we weren't getting the cooperation. We talked about actions that could be taken to show that cooperation; and unfortunately, those actions were not taken, and now we will have to suspend Bolivia's participation.

Now, I want to be very clear that we were and remain prepared to work—were prepared and remain prepared to work with the Bolivian Government. The governments of Latin America come from a wide range along the ideological spectrum, and President Bush has made very clear that there is no ideological test for cooperation and friendship with the United States. We have excellent relations with governments from the left, we have excellent relations with governments from the right, we have excellent relations with the center. Whether you're talking about Brazil or Chile or Uruguay, or you're talking about Colombia or—we have a broad range. There is no ideological test.

But when the American taxpayers' dollars are at stake, we have to be sure that we are indeed carrying out these programs in the way that they were intended. And in this case, I do not feel that I could recommend to the President certification under the circumstances. Again, these circumstances have been building for at least more than a year as we have been telling the Bolivians that this has been building for a while.

Q. Madame Secretary, first of all, both the Mexican and Bolivian foreign ministries (inaudible). The U.S. is the center of (inaudible) information to Mexico, it has to—it's positive (inaudible). What is your take on that? The second question: The—after eight years in Washington, first as National Security Advisor and then as Secretary of State, what is your final (inaudible)? What do you hope? How has that changed according to the Roadmap, if (inaudible) Roadmap?

With regards to the arrival of the United States companies and the Merida Initiative, what relationship will the Mexican Government have with the private contractors from the United States? And I would like to ask you, in particular, will we allow armed personnel to be here in Mexico? Thank you.

Secretary Rice. Well, (inaudible) on the matter of migration and (inaudible) policies. The problem—we all have problems with migration. We and Mexico have discussed this issue. In fact, the President has been a major proponent of comprehensive immigration reform in the United States. (Inaudible) on the one hand, uphold our laws, and on the other hand, recognize the reality of people who are in the United States and who need to have dignity and need to be recognized for the contributions that they've made. I sincerely hope that comprehensive immigration reform will come in the United States in the next administration. It really needs to.

But as to the Cuban matter, I think that there, the problem with migration is Cuba. It's the problem of the way Cuba is ruled. It is the problem of people who have a real fear of political persecution. It is a place that depravation and fear have been what Cuba gives to its people for now, decades and decades. And that that's the problem. And I—by all means, I think that Mexico and Cuba having a migration accord—the United States has a migration accord with Cuba—it's important. But let's be clear on what the real problem of migration is with Cuba, that's the problem.

Now as to Mexico, this is an extraordinary country, and it's made extraordinary leaps over the last several years, even just (inaudible) the eight years that President Bush has been in office. If I look back, it's had successful elections in which there have been changes in party and special elections at the national level, at the local level, it is making great progress in really solidifying and consolidating its democracy. It is a real voice in the region as a diplomatic power in the region, and here, I really want to congratulate Patricia and her team. I think that this is even been more of the case over the last couple of years, Mexico's role in the region. And now, Mexico will be on the Security Council and play a global role.

We couldn't have a better friend than Mexico. We couldn't share a better continent than the Western Hemisphere, which is a place of innovation and a place of— where I think we should (inaudible) where we really can be competitive with the rest of the world. And we've got a lot of work to do, of course. I know the challenges that Mexico faces, particularly in terms of security, and we fully want to be supportive of the hard work that President Calderon is asking his government and the Mexican people to do—not to be held in fear by the—by people who are violent criminals who would try to promote that fear. And so there's no relationship that I am more proud of than the relationship with Mexico.

Secretary Espinosa. In relation to the Merida Initiative, I would like to mention, as it has been mentioned by Dr. Rice, we are currently working one step—the North American government (inaudible) the funding in order to implement that part of the initiative, because I would like to remind you that the Merida Initiative is not limited only to this transfer of funds, but that it is a framework of cooperation which is, by far, broader. I would like to highlight the fact that that makes reference, for example, to the exchange of information, the (inaudible) among agencies.

And both sides of the border has already had a visible and positive effect in the regards to the results that we have obtained throughout these past months. For example, recalling what has happened since December of 2006 up to this date, in total, between the weapons seized and weapons that have been obtained through the program by computers exchanging them for weapons, we're talking about almost 55,000. This means that we are achieving the fact of withdrawing from the streets these instruments of violence that the criminal organizations have had in their hands. So I would like to mention, in this respect, that this cooperation will keep on strengthening itself.

In regards to the area of the transfer of funds, as Madame—as Dr. Rice has mentioned, we are considering all the specific issues that will allow us to implement this transfer of funds. And we have also agreed that at the bi-national level, we will establish a follow-up group for Merida Initiative that will work jointly. I would like to emphasize that at all times, it has to do with a bi-national initiative. It's an initiative that will go hand-in-hand in this partnership. In no way will there be any North American agents armed in our country that will be performing activities that are limited by our law for the Mexican Government officials.

President George W. Bush and President Fernando Lugo delivered these remarks in Washington, DC

President Bush. Bienvenidos, Señor Presidente, a la Casa Blanca. I am honored you are here to visit me in the White House. We have had a meaningful conversation—a conversation that you would expect among people who have a deep desire to serve their respective people.

Mr. President, I've been impressed by un corazón grande. You care deeply about the people of your country. And I have felt that compassion.

I told the President that the United States wants to help. We want to help with education and health care. We care deeply about people being able to work. Our—we believe in the social justice agenda. I believe that—that it's important that the United States be in a position to help influence the lives of citizens that simply want a more hopeful day. And Mr. President, it gives me great comfort to know that you're the person with whom we can work.

I'm impressed by the fact that you want to take a strong stand against corruption. There's nothing more discouraging than to have the government of a people steal their money.

And so we stand with you. It's—you got a hard job. I understand that. But you bring the right spirit to the job. And I so I want to—I want to welcome you to the White House, and thank you for your conversation.

President Lugo. First of all, thank you very much for the invitation. It is a commitment and a joy to be able to reinforce our historic relationship with the United States.

Many people have asked, why now? And I think that it's particularly important to visit President Bush in his last days in the White House because we think it's very important to impress upon the world the importance of democratic institutions, and also because we believe that we, as individual people, pass. We have written that our personal history is not as important as the history of our respective peoples.

In Paraguay, I have entered politics in order to change the history of our country. We have not come into politics in order to get into the smokeless industry that is to steal from the people of the country. We came in as Christians, because our Christian duty is to serve the poorest and the neediest of our people. And today, as President of Paraguay, we're taking on all of the challenges with the greatest serenity possible so that we can help our people.

We are profoundly hurt in our souls by poverty, by the exodus of our young people, by the lack of education, by people who don't have roofs over their heads. We are profoundly moved by those people. But that pain is also impregnated with courage and decisiveness. And we have said since the very beginning that if there was anything that was to distinguish our government, it would be international solidarity.

I'll never forget that when I talked to one of our agricultural people, one of the people out in the country, a farmer who said, “What we need is bread. We don't care if it comes from the left hand or from the right hand, we just need somebody to give us food.” And that's why we're here, because the Paraguayans have asked us to be here as President to try to recover Paraguay's dignity as a nation.

And I told President Bush that we have a lot of dreams, collective dreams, but also my personal dream. And our dream is that Paraguay be known not for its corruption, but for its transparency and for its dignity as a people and as a country. And we believe, we're convinced, that we will be able to achieve that.

President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered these remarks in Lima, Peru

President Bush. I'm pleased to be with a good friend and a strong leader, Prime Minister Stephen Harper. It's been a joy to work with you. And we've accomplished a lot together, relations between the United States and Canada are strong—sometimes complicated, but nevertheless based on common values. I appreciate your candor, your strength of character and your consistent philosophy. So I'm looking forward to good discussions. I'm looking forward to this APEC—I think it's very important for us to continue to work together during the time of economic turmoil.

I want to thank you for coming to Washington last weekend and thank you for your solid contributions.

Prime Minister Harper. Well, I appreciate that, Mr. President, and I've appreciated the candor of our relationship, I've appreciated your openness. We've had many things we've agreed on and a few we haven't, but you've always been willing to listen. And Laureen and I certainly wish Laura and you all the best if I don't see you again before the 20th of January.

Secretary Condoleezza Rice delivered these remarks in Panama City, Panama

Introductory Remarks have been omitted

Secretary Rice. I'm delighted to be here today to celebrate the commitment of both our governments to increasing mutual understanding and providing greater opportunity for our citizens through educational opportunities. Exchange programs, like the Fulbright program, serve as one of the most effective ways for peoples to get to know each other. These scholars carry fond memories of their experiences in the United States for the rest of their lives. In fact, over the years, I've met several world leaders who have proudly told me that they were once Fulbright scholars. So I know that these programs work.

Education is the cornerstone, the bedrock of any democratic society. And the United States is pleased to support the desire of the Government of Panama to send more Panamanians to study in the United States. We applaud the Panamanian Government's commitment to higher education and to education more broadly, and its dedication to bringing access to educational opportunities for all people.

We know that learning bridges gaps between cultures, and education allows us to enhance the opportunities for dialogue and to transcend borders. Put simply, education opens doors to one another, and especially to humanity. And I am pleased that we are building yet another bridge between the United States and Panama. The Fulbright program has been operating in Panama for more than three decades, and it has supported more than 800 Panamanians and 1,000 U.S. students, scholars and researchers to study in each other's country.

In signing this agreement, we more than double the number of Panamanian Fulbright students coming to the United States. By our commitment to provide pre-academic English instruction to those Fulbright participants who need it, we are also hoping to expand the reach to those who might not otherwise consider study in the United States. The Fulbright program is our worldwide, flagship educational program, and we're especially pleased that the SENACYT, the Panamanian Scholarship Board, is committing its resources as our partner in this prestigious program.

Today's agreement is one of several new educational exchange programs supported by the United States Government that provides Panamanians, particularly those who are economically less privileged, with opportunities to study in the United States.

Our other programs include providing high school and undergraduate students a chance to learn English through courses in Panama and (inaudible) in the United States. Skills that will later enable them to be more competitive for scholarships at the graduate level.

The lack of English language skills has been identified as a major impediment to sending more Panamanian students to the United States. The U.S. Government recognizes and supports the importance of English language learning, and the need to reach nontraditional sectors of society to give them opportunities to improve their language skills. This initiative is one that strongly supports that goal. And if I may just add, I hope too that more Americans will learn to speak Spanish so that they can come to Panama and to the region. We are a people that are far too monolingual, and so when we talk about people learning to speak English, I almost always add that Americans must learn to speak Spanish as well, even though I speak Russian.

Some of you may know that I'm an educator. I have taught at Stanford University for now over two decades, and I'll return to Stanford University after my government service. As an educator, I have seen the transforming power of education. Indeed, I've seen it in my own life. My parents were teachers. My grandfather was the first to go to college. And they knew that an education was more than just a way to get a job. They knew that it was more than just a good start on life, although it's clearly those things too. But they knew that education opens up horizons to people. It allows them to think not about what they are, but what they might be. And education in another country does that many, many times over because it opens and broadens and makes possible experiences that one could never have in one's own country.

And so as an educator and one who herself studied abroad at one point in my life, I am delighted that we are expanding the number of Fulbright students. But as Secretary of State, I am also very proud because I know that the educated people who will come from this program and go out into the broader society will bring a greater understanding of other cultures, will bring a greater love for other cultures, and in doing so, will be true ambassadors of goodwill and peace. Thank you very much.

Secretary Condoleezza Rice and President Martin Torrijos delivered these remarks in Panama City, Panama

President Torrijos. Madame Secretary of State, today has been a great day, a day where we have addressed bilateral issues, issues related to free trade, which is important in order to create jobs, which in turn is also important in order to create a better quality of life for our people. So thank you very much for your visit. I would also like to take this opportunity to say farewell on this, your last visit to Panama. And thank you for the excellent work that we have done together.

Secretary Rice. Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you very much for welcoming me here on what is, I believe, to be my last trip to the region. We have had a very good bilateral relationship. You and President Bush have developed an excellent working relationship and an excellent personal relationship.

Thank you for hosting the Pathways for Prosperity ministerial. It was a very successful opportunity to talk about how trade and investment and open markets come together in democratic countries to produce results for the people: better jobs, better health, better education, and indeed social justice.

And Mr. President, I want to thank you and congratulate you too on the great progress that Panama has made during your presidency. We can see the extraordinary growth here in Panama City. We see the project that will expand the canal. And I also want to congratulate you on the improvement in social indicators on poverty. I know that this is something that was dear to your heart when you became President, and it is very good that you have delivered so much for the Panamanian people. And again, Panama is an example of what can happen when trade and investment and policies for good governance come together to bring social progress for the people.

And so thank you for having me here and I look forward to returning to Panama as a private citizen to enjoy this beautiful country.

President George W. Bush and President Antonio Saca delivered these remarks in Washington, DC

President Bush. Mr. President, bien-venido de nuevo. I am honored to have you back. I appreciate your friendship, and I appreciate your strong leadership for the people of our close ally, El Salvador.

We've had a very good discussion. First I want to thank you for your support of freedom in Iraq. You have been steadfast in recognizing that freedom is the way to help build lasting peace.

I appreciate very much the fact that your country is a vibrant democracy. You've been steadfast in your support for your—the right of your people to express themselves in a free society, and I applaud you for that strength.

I want to thank you very much for investing in your people. You're a—we've got a partnership through the Millennium Challenge Corporation. And part of your commitment was honest government and the investment in the health and education of your people. And you've honored that agreement. I thank you very much for understanding that the benefits of trade are good for your people and our people, as well. And you're a very strong advocate of CAFTA, which is working very well.

And finally, you've been very strong when it comes to helping interdict the flow of drugs. I explained to the President that since 2001, drug use in the United States amongst teenagers has declined by 25 percent. And the reason I said that is because in order to affect the flow of drugs there must be a comprehensive approach. First of all, we got to—we in the United States must reduce demand. But it also requires a strong cooperative spirit to interdict supply. And you have been very strong in that.

And so I thank you. It's been a pleasure to work with you. You may have heard that I'm about to retire. And as I head toward the great state of Texas, I will have very fond memories of our time together, and the strength of our friendship and of your leadership. So welcome.

President Saca. Muchas gracias.

President Bush. Sí.

President Saca. Thank you so much. I also thank President Bush. I think we have got a very good relationship and one that is very concerned for our people. I think that El Salvador is a good example of a country that moved from war to peace. And we've always had the contribution of the United States in all of the stages of this peace.

I always tell President Bush that free trade was so important, as well as the immigration issue for our people. And all these issues have been worked out, especially regarding cooperation with regards to the combat in drugs. I have confirmed to President Bush that El Salvador is going to renew the FOL that we have at the Pacific coast. And that has allowed us to capture a lot of drug traffickers and seize a lot of drugs also for the Pacific coast.

So a mid-income country like El Salvador knows perfectly well that the path towards prosperity is effort and hard work—and freedom. And this is something that Salvadorans practice on a daily basis. We have worked hand in hand with ILEA. And ILEA is the place where our judges and our prosecutors are being trained, and it is something that we're doing together with the United States of America.

With regards to the Millennium Account, we have been very successful. We're working very fast. We're going to build a highway, a 300-kilometer-long highway in the northern part of the country. And at the same time, we're going to develop the rural areas along that highway. And all this has been done hand in hand with the United States.

I wish you the best of luck in your new life. I was just in Dallas because I went to promote the TPS for our people. And everybody knew there that President Bush was going to move to Dallas.

You are leaving on January 20th. And I leave on the 1st of June.

President Saca. Okay. President Bush has been a strong advocate of freedom. And I think that the United States has much to thank President Bush, especially the fact that the U.S. has not been attacked again by the terrorist groups. This is something quite intangible, because you cannot touch it, you cannot feel it, until when, unfortunately, something like that would happen again.

You can always count on the support of El Salvador on these issues, Mr. President, and the United States in general, the new President, because the historical relationship between the United States of America and El Salvador is a relationship of shared values, and we will continue to share in this friendship strongly, as it is now.

Thank you so much.

Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Secretary Patricia Espinosa delivered these remarks in Washington, DC

Secretary Rice. Hello, good morning. Today, Secretary Gates, Attorney General Mukasey, Deputy Secretary Schneider, Director Walters and I gathered together with many senior U.S. Government officials and we met with our Mexican counterparts to review the common threat that we face from drug trafficking and transnational crime. Our meeting, what we call the Merida Initiative High-Level Consultative Group, has its immediate origins in the meeting between President Bush and President Calderon in Merida, Mexico, in March 2007. At that time, President Bush and President Calderon highlighted the serious threat that criminal organizations and drug traffickers pose to both our countries and the need for strong collaborative action.

In Merida, the United States and Mexico have reaffirmed a commitment to enhanced partnership, cooperation, training, assistance, information sharing, built on the premise that we have a shared responsibility to confront these criminals and protect our citizens, and that success requires increased cooperation.

In our discussions today, we have had a full and useful exchange on how we can enhance our cooperation, take steps needed to break the power and impunity of the drug-trafficking organizations, and how we can facilitate implementation of projects under the Merida Initiative.

Let me close by underscoring once again that our U.S.-Mexico partnership is indispensable, not just to meet the threat posed by these criminal organizations, but also to ensure more broadly that our citizens can share a future that is secure and prosperous in our democratic states that are neighbors and friends.

I want to thank the members of the Mexican delegation who joined us, and now I will turn the floor to Ambassador Patricia Espinosa, Foreign Secretary.

Foreign Secretary Espinosa. I don't know (inaudible) speak in Spanish?

Very well. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, friends, members of the press corps. As Secretary Rice has stated, this morning, high-level representatives of the U.S. and Mexican governments have met in order to hold a first policy meeting to provide follow-up to the Merida Initiative. I would like to underscore that the level of this delegation is clear proof of the priority that both their governments have placed upon this initiative. The meeting has been extremely productive and valuable. The Merida Initiative, as Secretary Rice has said, is a system of bilateral cooperation that will allow both countries—that is, in fact, already allowing both countries to expand their exchange in terms of combating organized crime.

And in the meeting that we held this morning, it was made evident that apart from the transfer of equipment within the Merida Initiative, the system that has been agreed upon under this initiative has allowed for interaction, for cooperation, at an unprecedented level in our bilateral relationship. This initiative is based on the principles of shared responsibility, of mutual trust, and respect for the laws of both countries. This is an initiative that presents a great opportunity, so that together Mexico and the United States can be more effective in addressing what is a shared threat, and that is transnational organized crime. The drug market leads to crimes in money laundering, in precursor chemicals, in weapons trafficking, in corruption, and a growing level of violence that affects our societies on both sides of the border. And that is why we are committed to fully attacking this problem jointly with great determination.

This initiative contains actions that each country carries out within their territory. And this was a very interesting point in our meeting, and that is regarding the actions being carried out by both sides, and as well as actions that are based on bilateral cooperation. So then this is a formidable challenge that both countries are addressing in decisive fashion. It has been a complex procedure in terms of technical and policy consultations in the last—or in the recent months between teams from both countries, and this has allowed for greater coordination. We have no doubts on our side within the Mexican Government that this is an initiative that will continue to produce positive results. It is our wish that the follow-up to this initiative continue at this high level, and not just at the technical level, but there should also be a permanent high-level follow-up process.

So once again, Secretary Rice, I want to thank you for your support throughout all of these months. I would also like to thank the entire U.S. delegation that has worked with us on this very important project.

Q. Secretary Rice, as you are aware, Hamas yesterday said it was unilaterally ending its ceasefire in Gaza after six months. I wonder, one, what you think about that statement and whether you would like to see it restored; and, secondly, whether you are concerned that an end—or a resumption of the violence in Gaza or between Gaza and Israel will make it harder for the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority under President Mahmoud Abbas to continue their negotiations.

Secretary Rice. Well, if ever there is a clear differentiator between Mahmoud Abbas, President Mahmoud Abbas, and Hamas, it's this constant threat of violence. Because after all, Hamas needs to concentrate on turning away from violence. A renewed threat of violence against Israel is going to do nothing for the people of Gaza except deepen their misery which has been imposed by Hamas as it is.

And so I sincerely hope that there will not be a resumption of the violence because that is not going to help the people of Gaza, it's not going to help Palestinians; it's not going to help the Palestinian cause. That's been very clearly stated by the international community, which has talked about the importance of renouncing violence. And the only way that the Palestinian people are going to reach their aspirations for statehood is through negotiation, and that's why President Abbas has the support of the international community and, by the way, the Arab states as well.

Q. But doesn't the violence make the negotiations even harder?

Secretary Rice. I think that it's very clear that the people who are going to deliver for the Palestinian people are the people who have renounced violence, and that's the Palestinian Authority and President Abbas. All that Hamas is going to do is to deliver deeper misery by trying to resume violence. And that's why the international community supports President Abbas.

Q. Jose Lopez Zamorano de Notimex. (Inaudible) on both sides over the border, so how worried are you that these incidents actually become more serious in the U.S.? And secondly, to what extent do you think that this violence and instances of corruption could actually hamper the next U.S. Government's ability to cooperate effectively with Mexico against organized crime?

Secretary Rice. Well, what the Merida Initiative really says is that this is a joint problem and a joint responsibility. We have enormous respect for President Calderon and what his government is trying to do with this scourge of organized crime and drug trafficking and all of the associated problems that it brings.

Yes, the United States is concerned about what is going on on our side of the border, but we had a very interesting presentation today from our office—National Office of Drug Control Policy which talked about the U.S. responsibility also to work on the supply—on the demand side, so that there is not demand for this product. And we consider that part of our responsibility. But the law enforcement cooperation, the information sharing, the training, the resources, this is all a joint effort to deal with a problem that neighbors have, that friends have, and that's the way that we see it. And we think it makes the imperative for cooperation greater, not less.

Q. Yes. Miss Secretary, I'd like to follow this (inaudible) summit in Brazil. One of the proposals of the Latin American countries was to sort of set up a new regional body which could be a new one sidelining somehow the OAS. I'd like—if you would like to comment on that.

Secretary Rice. Would you like to comment also? Yes. If you want to start—you were there, so why don't you.

Foreign Secretary Espinosa. Okay. Well, I would like to comment that the idea of creating an organization that would include the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean—well, the purpose of that is to strengthen the process of integration that has been taking place in the region under various approaches, a sub-regional approach. The fact is, when we look at the scene worldwide, we see that there are regional integration systems in practically all of the regions of the world. In Africa, we have the African Union. In Europe, we have the European Union. In Asia, we have several integration processes in place there. So this is an initiative whose intent is to strengthen the region's position vis-à-vis other regions of the world to make our region more competitiveness. That is how Mexico sees this initiative, and that's why Mexico is taking part in pushing for this initiative.

And by the way, it's not an initiative that is exclusive. This is an initiative whose aim is to strengthen our position, to strengthen the region's position in the process of dialogue and cooperation with other regions of the world. In fact, we have the real group as a basis; a building block that we feel should lead us to a greater level of institutionality.

It is a process that is only beginning to move forward. It hasn't been clearly defined how this system will evolve. But in fact, looking at the OAS, we are sure that greater integration and a greater understanding between the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean will serve to contribute—to strengthen the OAS proper.

Secretary Rice. (Inaudible) that the OAS remains the regional organization in which all parts of the region participate. And I think we have worked very hard to strengthen it, and it will continue to be strengthened. It is the organization that can act, as it did, for instance, in Haiti when it was needed to have the support of the United States, Canada, several countries, including Brazil, which led the UN mission. And so I don't think that one needs to think of other organizations somehow that may emerge as a threat to the OAS. There are increasingly overlapping regional organizations. If one looks at the work that we do here in North America, we are very much active here as a North American group, but that doesn't mean that we ignore the rest of the Western Hemisphere.

And if you look even at some cross-regional groups that are very important, APEC, which brings together the Pacific Rim of Latin America and the Western Hemisphere with Asia, is an institution that is very strong. And so I don't one needs to think of any of this as exclusive, but rather, as the increasing need for countries to cooperate across boundaries, and you're going to have many different regional groupings that do that.

Q. —from the magazine Power and Business.

(Inaudible) like the Barat 50, which were—these weapons were banned in the United States until 2004 when President Bush declined to renew that ban, which was going on for ten years. My question to Secretary Rice is: Have you made President Bush aware of the direct connection between the expiration of the assault weapons ban and the proliferation of these powerful weapons in Mexico? And have you ever suggested to him that it was a bad idea not to renew the ban?

And for the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations, in the spirit of shared responsibility that you mentioned, did you address the issue or the need that the U.S. should impose this ban on the sale of high-caliber weapons?

Secretary Rice. You know, it's very interesting. I follow arms trafficking across the world, and I've never known illegal arms traffickers who cared very much about the law. And so I simply don't accept the notion that the lifting of the ban somehow has led arms traffickers to increase their activities. Arms traffickers, by their very nature, don't care about the law. And so whatever laws are in place, their business is to get around it.

And I'll tell you, I know a lot about this area because it's not just in the region, but it's worldwide that this is the case. That is why the way to deal with the kinds of arms that are being trafficked by people who are doing it illegally, literally against the law, is to work through intelligence, to work through our law enforcement people, but also to make sure that we have sharing of intelligence across the border.

I would just note that we had a very good presentation by our bureau of ATF, arms trafficking and alcohol and arms trafficking control. And it was about our concerns about the increasing capability to acquire some of these weapons that are indeed very serious. But I think it would be a mistake to assume that arms traffickers care very much about what laws the United States has in place.

Q. So you don't see this connection?

Secretary Rice. Actually, you know, I haven't done—since I've not done—I'm a social scientist. And since I haven't done a formal study of the variable that you mention and the outcomes that you mention, I'm not going to comment. But I will tell you I've never known an illegal arms trafficker who cared very much what the laws were.

Foreign Secretary Espinosa. On our side, the work during the last two years since President Calderon's administration began, we've had a very clear effort to get those weapons off the street, to get those weapons off of the hands of these organized crime groups. And the numbers that we've had in terms of seizures, and in fact, I want to mention that we have had a growing cooperation with the U.S. authorities, and those numbers are very eloquent as far as speaking as—to the effectiveness of exchanging information, exchanging intelligence, of working on this jointly. This has all been very productive. Obviously, if the U.S. side—if there were a legislative decision to adopt an initiative like that, we would obviously be very attentive to that. But obviously, we would always respect the sovereignty and independence of the U.S. Government at all its levels.