Ros-Lehtinen Comments on Initiative

Oct. 22, 2007

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented today on a proposed anti-drug initiative expanding cooperation and assistance between the U.S. and Mexico to reduce illegal drug trafficking and drug-related violence in both nations. Funding for the initiative is included in the proposed supplemental appropriations request announced today. Drug-fueled violence is spreading at an alarming level on both sides of the border, as massive quantities of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines produced in South America enter the United States through Mexico . Statement of Ros-Lehtinen:

Casualties are mounting on both sides of the border as innocents are killed in the crossfire between drug gangs fighting over turf and dying from consumption of these deadly poisons.

The blame game and finger-pointing which hindered cooperation between our two countries over the issue of narcotics has hopefully ended as we face together an unprecedented new wave of violence.

The interests of both countries are well-served by our joint efforts to curb the violence which threatens not only Mexico's economic well-being and democratic institutions, but our own nation's security, and the well-being of our young people.

SOURCE House Committee on Foreign Affairs (Republican Office)

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