Pubdate: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2010 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/townhall/ci_14227323 Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 Author: Chris Roberts MEXICO'S VIOLENCE SHOULD NOT DETER FIGHT AGAINST DRUG CARTELS, SUGGESTS TOP OFFICIAL EL PASO -- The man in charge of protecting this nation's borders said today that growing violence in Mexico should not deter governments in either country from continuing the fight against drug cartels and other criminal groups. "We are at a difficult point," said Alan Bersin, head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. "And in fact (cartel-related violence) has been characterized as a crisis of legitimacy - an effort on the part of organized crime to challenge the legitimacy of the state." Bersin spoke at the end of the 7th Annual Border Security Conference at the University of Texas at El Paso. As other U.S. officials have done before him, Bersin praised Mexican President Felipe Calderon for his persistent efforts to root out corruption and challenge cartel control of government systems. Bersin said Mexico is transforming from "a soft dictatorship to a democracy." "It's not now time to retreat," Bersin said. "It's not now time to think this was a mistake for this decision to be made." Bersin said officials in both countries must work together to "build a binational region in the 21st Century." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D