US lawmakers try to save drug plan

[Judi Lynn]

US lawmakers try to save drug plan
Jun 9, 2008 9:29 AM

US lawmakers offered to ease conditions tied to a $1.4 billion drug-fighting plan for Mexico and Central America after the Mexican government called it a threat to sovereignty.

Mexico has rejected the so-called Merida Initiative proposed by President George Bush over demands from the U.S. Congress to monitor how and where the aid - which includes helicopters and encrypted communication devices - is used.

US lawmakers also want to include human rights oversight in the three-year package, which Mexico says is unacceptable. Mexico is also upset by plans to reduce the dollar amount of aid from the original proposal.

But at a meeting of US and Mexican lawmakers in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey on Sunday, both sides agreed to try to save the drug plan and soften the conditions. One way could be by turning the conditions into recommendations rather than requirements.

More:
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411366/1837282