US troops to Mexico border 'premature': senator (Kerry)

[ProSense]

US troops to Mexico border 'premature': senator

WASHINGTON (AFP) – A senior US senator cautioned Monday against deployments of national guard troops to the US border with Mexico, saying such a move would be "premature and possibly counter-productive."

In remarks prepared for a special hearing in the Texas border city of El Paso, Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also warned against the alarmist tone of a US debate over drug violence in Mexico.

"The idea of dispatching the national guard to the border is premature and possibly counterproductive," he said.

His remarks echoed those of senior administration officials who in recent days have sought to play down fears that Mexico could become a failed state if it loses its war against powerful drug cartels.

"Mexico is a functioning democracy, with a vibrant and open economy and stable institutions and civil society," he said.

"We have to be very careful about that kind of rhetoric -- not just because it is simply untrue, but because it makes cooperation more difficult," he said.

more

[BeyondGeography]

1. The MSM is salivating for a border war

Well stated by the Senator.

[cwcwmack]

2. fwiw...

I'm NOT in favor of military intervention anywhere...

but I'd support backing up the Mexican Gov't before I'd support that fuckin' fiasco in Afghanistan.

BTW, 28 dead Americans in Afghan theater this month...

[ProSense]

3. Well, there's no need to n/t