Pubdate: Fri, 27 Apr 2007
Source: Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, AZ)
Copyright: 2007 Arizona Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.azstarnet.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/23

U.S. MUST HELP IN MEXICAN DRUG WAR, FOX SAYS

Ark. -- Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said Thursday that the 
violence in northern Mexico shows the government's campaign against 
drug trafficking in his nation is working, but cautioned the United 
States must play a role in the fight.

Fox, who was visiting Arkansas to give an address at Harding 
University and to visit the Clinton Presidential Center in Little 
Rock, said he applauded successor Felipe Calderon's use of army 
troops and federal police in drug-ravaged regions and extradition of 
cartel leaders to the United States.

However, he said the United States must do its part to cut back on 
purchases of illegal drugs, whose profits flow back to Mexican drug 
gangs. "It's a shared responsibility, because the consumption of 
drugs is here in the United States," Fox said in an interview with 
The Associated Press. "Here is where the money is generated to bribe 
Mexican officials, Mexican policemen and public servants, so we have 
to work together." Calderon has launched a national crackdown on 
organized crime, sending 24,000 soldiers to areas plagued by drug 
violence. Drug gangs are in the midst of a bloody turf battle, and it 
has led to beheadings, grenade attacks and execution-style killings 
across Mexico.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman