It Takes Two

I was somewhat relieved when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, when travelling in Mexico, and particularly when speaking at TecMilenio University in Monterrey, Mexico, on March 26, 2009 used the term "Shared Responsibility." This was in talking about the border, and the flow of drugs. While I was disappointed that the only way she seemed to be able to think about addressing the shared problem was with yet more law enforcement and militarization of the border area, in a situation where law enforcement on both sides seems to be failing to accomplish the purpose of slowing the flow of drugs. Nevertheless, the sense of "shared responsibility" is a welcome sea change when before all difficulty seemed to be laid at the feet of Mexico alone.

Here is part of what Secretary Clinton said:

And I know that one challenge that we will work with you to address is drug trafficking that has terrorized some Mexican communities, especially those along the border. And I join my voice to all those who know that this situation is intolerable for honest, law-abiding citizens of Mexico, my country, or anywhere people of conscience live. This affects not only the government, the law enforcement, the military, the judicial system of Mexico and the people of Mexico, but of the more than 60 million Americans who live in U.S. border states. That is why I have been very clear in my time here. The United States recognizes that drug trafficking is not only Mexico’s problem. It is also an American problem. And we, in the United States, have a responsibility to help you address it.


Traffickers use guns purchased in the United States to fight each other and to challenge the Mexican military and police. Their enterprise is financed in part by our country’s demand for drugs, which sends up to $25 billion a year in illicit drug profits back into the hands of the drug kingpins. Drug profits are propping up cartels financially allowing them to continue their campaign of violence and lawlessness. Earlier this week, the Obama Administration announced a comprehensive plan to increase security along our border, including more officers to stop the illegal flow of guns into Mexico.



For the secretary's complete remarks go to the link below.

www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/03/120955.htm