[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 137 (Friday, October 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1858-E1859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THE MEXICAN SENATE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM KOLBE

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 11, 2001

  Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, often on this floor, I have spoken about our 
friends across our southern border. The country of Mexico is important 
because it shares a border, because it increasingly shares a culture 
with us and because it increasingly shares our commitment to democracy 
and freedom.
  On September 11, the U.S. was the object of a still-incredible attack 
by terrorists. And, on that very day, the Mexican Senate stopped its

[[Page E1859]]

legislative work to adopt a resolution of sympathy and support for the 
United States.
  One week later, the government of Mexico released a statement which 
reiterated ``our solidarity with the people and government of the 
United States.''
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the government and the people of Mexico for 
their concern and support. I attach these two statements, translated 
into English, for all our Members to read.

          Statement of the Mexican Senate, September 11, 2001

       ``The Mexican Senate wishes to express to the Government of 
     the United States of America as well as to all Nations, its 
     most profound sympathy and deep indignation relative to the 
     barbarous acts which today have offended the entire world.
       ``The Mexican Senate calls upon all men and women of good 
     faith to prevent this tragedy from escalating into an 
     interminable blood bath.
       ``Let us bring together the governments and peoples of the 
     world to work together to guard against further harm; to 
     scrupulously respect human rights throughout the world; and 
     to build together a peaceful, dignified, and just world for 
     all mankind.''

                                  ____
                                  

   The Mexican Government Will Participate in the Special Permanent 
                       Council Meeting of the OAS

  (Statement of the Mexican Government (Deliberated with the Mexican 
                      Senate), September 18, 2001)

       The Mexican government declared its most energetic and 
     unequivocal indignation for the terrorist atrocities that 
     took place in New York and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 
     2001, which brought about incalculable human and economic 
     loses and they have caused profound grief in the 
     international community. Regarding this, we reiterate our 
     solidarity with the people and government of the United 
     States.
       These events are true crimes against humanity; they shake 
     up the true foundation of civilized co-existence among 
     nations and represent a serious threat for peace and 
     international security. Therefore, the Mexican Government 
     condemns terrorism categorically in every shape or form, 
     being for political, philosophical, ideological, racial, 
     ethnic, religious or whatever reason.
       In agreement with resolution 1368 (2001) of the Security 
     Council of the United Nations, the Mexican Government 
     ratifying our peaceful vocation, expresses its total 
     willingness to collaborate, with the urgency and firmness 
     that the situation requires, in the cooperation of 
     international efforts leading to the prevention and 
     eradication of terrorism, as expressed by the General 
     Assembly of the United Nations in resolution A/56/1, dated 
     September 12.
       Regarding the diplomatic measures that have been developing 
     in recent days in the Interamerican environment, the Mexican 
     Government manifests its decision to participate actively in 
     the Special Permanent Council Meeting of the OAS, summoned 
     for the 19 of September at the OAS Headquarters, with the 
     intention of reaching a consensus about the political and 
     diplomatic actions that are considered appropriate in 
     responding to the call of the General Assembly of the United 
     Nations and for the decision taken by the Security Council.
       Likewise, Mexico applauds its initiative for calling for a 
     Consultation Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, in 
     agreement with article 61 of the Charter of the Organization, 
     which establishes the perfect forum in the hemisphere to 
     agree upon the measures that the present situation demands. 
     The decisions that come from that forum must be taken under 
     the protection of article 53 of the Charter of the United 
     Nations, which prohibits the application of restrictive 
     measures adhered to regional agreements or by regional 
     organisms without the explicit authorization of the Security 
     Council, and being fully understood that the decisions 
     adopted and to be adopted by the Security Council and the 
     General Assembly of the United Nations on the subject, must 
     prevail above any other adopted in the hemispheric 
     environment.
       Regarding the summons of the Interamerican Reciprocal 
     Assistance Treaty, the Mexican Government considers that, in 
     agreement with what was expressed by the President of Mexico, 
     on September 7 at the OAS Headquarters, this is not the ideal 
     mechanism to confront the present challenges regarding the 
     safety of our region. Mexico considers that a Consultation 
     Meeting of the Foreign Affairs Ministers in the framework of 
     the OAS would have an upgraded hierarchy and greater 
     representation of the continental community, since the 
     Interamerican Reciprocal Assistance Treaty only has half of 
     the amount of members that the OAS has.
       Notwithstanding the above mentioned, whichever the 
     hemispheric measures applied that will deal with the tragic 
     happenings of September 11, Mexico will seek a consensus in 
     the region that will actively defend the principles and 
     intentions of the United Nations and will provide political 
     and diplomatic cooperation for the legitimate efforts applied 
     to take to justice those intellectual authors, organizers and 
     sponsors of these actions, as well as those responsible in 
     giving them support and protection.
       The Mexican Government, as it has always done and as is its 
     obligation, will proceed with total respect for the 
     traditional principles of our foreign affairs policies 
     specified in our Constitution.

     

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