[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 80 (Monday, May 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6645-S6647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VISIT TO THE SENATE BY MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF MEXICO
Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I rise to introduce to you and to especially
welcome representatives from the Mexican Senate and House of
Representatives who met with us in Tucson this last weekend as the
delegation of the United States-Mexico Interparliamentary Conference.
It is my honor to present these ladies and gentlemen to you. I ask
unanimous consent that each of their names be printed in the
proceedings of the U.S. Senate, along with a copy of the joint
communique, a communique that came out of that conference.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Mexican Delegation List
senators
Senador Fernando Ortiz Arana, President (State of
Queretaro--PRI).
Senador Jose Murat (State of Oaxaca--PRI).
Senador Guadalupe Gomez Maganda (State of Guerrero--PRI).
Senador Guillermo Hopkins Gamez (State of Sonora--PRI).
Senador Jose Luis Soberanes Reyes (State of Sinaloa--PRI).
Senador Fernando Solana Morales (State of Distrito
Federal--PRI).
Senador Eloy Cantu Segovia (State of Nuevo Leon--PRI).
Senador Carlos Sales Gutierrez (State of Campeche--PRI).
Senador Gabriel Jimenez Remus (State of Jalisco--PAN).
Senador Luis Felipe Bravo Mena (State of Mexico--PAN).
Senador Jose Angel Conchello Davila (State of Distrito
Federal--PAN). [[Page S6646]]
Senador Jose Ramon Medina Padilla (State of Zacatecas--
PAN).
Senador Hector Sanchez Lopez (State of Oaxaca--PRD).
Senador Guillermo Del Rio Ortegon (State of Campeche--PRD).
representatives
Diputado Augusto Gomez Villanueva, Co-President (State of
Aguascalientes--PRI).
Diputado Carlos Aceves Del Olmo (State of Distrito
Federal--PRI).
Diputado Samuel Palma Cesar (State of Morelos--PRI).
Diputado Marco Antonio Davila Montesinos (State of
Tamaulipas--PRI).
Diputado Victor M. Rubio Y Ragazzoni (State of Distrito
Federal--PRI).
Diputado Rosario Guerra Diaz (State of Distrito Federal--
PRI).
Diputado Carlos Flores Vizcarra (State of Distrito
Federal--PRI).
Diputado Pindaro Uriostegui Miranda (State of Guerrero--
PRI).
Diputado Ricardo Garcia Cervantes (State of Baja
California--PAN).
Diputado Guillermo Lujan Pena (State of Chihuahua--PAN).
Diputado Miguel Hernandez Labastida (State of Distrito
Federal--PAN).
Diputado Alejandro Diaz Perez Duarte (State of Distrito
Federal--PAN).
Diputado Jesus Ortega Martinez.
Diputado Pedro Ettiene Llano (PRD).
Diputado Joaquin Vela Gonzalez (State of Aguascaliente--
PT).
____
Joint Communique, 34th Meeting of the Mexico-United States
Interparliamentary Group, Tucson, Arizona, May 13, 1995
At the conclusion of the 34th Interparliamentary Meeting
between the Congresses of the United States of America and
Mexico, held from May 12-15, 1995, in the city of Tucson,
Arizona, the participating delegations determined by mutual
accord to make known the scope of their discussions through
this joint communique.
The Delegations recognized that ties between their peoples
and governments are based on mutual respect and open
communication, which form the foundation of good relations.
The Delegations agreed to emphasize the importance of the
active role that each Congress must play in strengthening a
framework of understanding and joint endeavors. The
discussions in Tucson were cordial, comprehensive, and
candid, aimed at exchanging views on five principal subjects,
expanding mutual understanding, and advancing a positive,
practical agenda for improving relations across the board.
nafta and hemispheric free trade
The Delegations discussed the expansion of economic
relations among Canada, Mexico, and the United States under
the North American Free Trade Agreement. The Delegations
discussed ideas for the acceleration of tariff phase-out
periods and the complete implementation of NAFTA and
committed themselves to encourage the timely consideration of
initiatives to expand free trade in the Americas.
economic stabilization
The Delegations discussed current economic conditions and
measures established in Mexico's economic adjustment program
and stressed that both countries have an interest in the
complete and early recovery of the Mexican economy. In
particular, the Delegations recognized that both Congresses
will continue to review implementation, within their
respective constitutional authorities, of the economic
stabilization package being carried out under the ``U.S.-
Mexico Framework Agreement'' and accompanying accords signed
on February 21, 1995.
BORDER COOPERATION
The discussions in Tucson provided ample opportunity for
the exchange of views on expanding border cooperation,
including issues of tourism, customs, safe border crossing,
health, and environment. The Delegations committed themselves
to following through on initiatives to improve the quality of
life of persons who live and work in communities along the
2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border and to facilitate the growing
commerce through regional ports. In addition, problems of
port security and border crossings in violation of the law
were discussed.
IMMIGRATION
The Delegations recognized the need to respect the
fundamental human rights of all persons, as well as the
sovereign right of all states to make autonomous decisions
regarding domestic social programs and their territorial
integrity, in accordance with the constitution of each
country. When considering this issue, the Delegations agreed
on the importance of utilizing the consultative mechanisms
established in the U.S.-Mexico Binational Commission and
other appropriate channels.
COMBATTING ILLEGAL DRUGS
In the strongest possible terms, the Delegations agreed
that combatting illegal drugs is a priority for both
countries. The Delegations acknowledged that current
bilateral anti-drug cooperation is unprecedented in its scope
and intensity, and that both governments must redouble their
efforts and commit the necessary resources in order to
strictly apply the law to criminals and to attack the drug
problem more effectively in all its manifestations, including
production, trafficking, and consumption. The Delegations
agreed on the need to strengthen actions to fight organized
crime, money-laundering, and corruption through cooperation
and with absolute respect for the sovereignty of each
country.
FOLLOW-UP MECHANISMS
The Delegations agreed to consider establishing special
congressional working groups on bilateral issues, including a
process to develop specific recommendations and follow-up
actions for future interparliamentary meetings. They also
agreed to consider holding a United States-Mexico-Canada
Interparliamentary Meeting in the future.
CONCLUSION
The Mexican Delegation expressed its satisfaction for the
atmosphere of frank, open, and candid dialogue that prevailed
at the discussions in Tucson. The Mexican legislators thanked
their U.S. colleagues for their hospitality and extended
their best wishes to the people of the United States. The
United States Delegation extended their thanks to their
Mexican counterparts and best wishes to the Mexican people.
Senator Fernando Ortiz Arana,
Chairman, Mexican State Delegation.
Deputy Augusto Gomez Villanueva,
Chairman, Mexican Chamber
of Deputies Delegation.
Senator Jon Kyl,
Chairman, U.S. Senate Delegation.
Representative Jim Kolbe,
Chairman, U.S. House Delegation.
Mr. KYL. Mr. President, this conference, which was the 34th meeting
of the United States and Mexican parliamentarians, covered a wide range
of topics. It focused in two general areas: On the economic and
political issues.
On the economic issues, matters that were discussed included the
implementation of NAFTA and other hemispheric free-trade issues, the
issues regarding economic stabilization for the Mexican economy, border
cooperation in a whole variety of different ways, problems relating to
immigration and, most important, combating illegal drugs.
I might note just in that regard that the communique notes in the
strongest possible terms, the delegates believe that both countries
need to work even more closely together to solve this problem that is
so critical to both of our countries.
We also included in the communique follow-up mechanisms that would
enable us to continue our work together as parliamentarians, including
the possibility that we would meet with our Canadian counterparts as
well in a three-part kind of meeting.
Mr. President, the key, I think, to this meeting was a recognition
that perhaps more than any other time in history, the Congresses of our
two countries have changed dramatically. We are aware of the fact that
for the first time in 40 years, the Republican Party now controls both
Houses of the U.S. Congress, and that is creating great changes in our
legislative policy.
By the same token, the Congress in Mexico is undergoing substantial
change as well. In addition to the fact that you have four different
parties in the Congress, the parliamentarians who met this weekend all
noted that the role that the Congress is playing in Mexico is a much
more active and robust role than has been true in years past.
Therefore, the areas of cooperation between the two Congresses take on
an even greater importance as both of our countries face the next few
years and going into the next century.
So, Mr. President, it is with a great deal of pride and with a degree
of humility that I appear with these members of the House and Senate of
Mexico and present them to you and, again, express my very strong sense
that this kind of meeting is critical to the future of our two
countries which share a 2,000-mile-long border and have a very bright
future together. We treat that border as an opportunity, and I think
that was the keyword in the entire conference, was the opportunity that
is presented by the working together of our two countries.
Mr. President, now we have the privilege of going to the White House
and meeting with President Clinton. We know that that meeting will be
fruitful as well. I note finally that there were seven Senators from
the United States who attended that meeting, as well as both
Ambassadors from the United States and Mexico. Therefore, it was a most
productive conference.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chamber is honored by the visit of our
colleagues and friends. You are most welcome in this Chamber. We
appreciate your visit very much.
Mr. KYL. Thank you, Mr. President
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
[[Page S6647]]
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
Mrs. MURRAY. I object.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, again, I ask unanimous consent that the
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is
so ordered. The Senator from Minnesota is recognized.
____________________