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We’re scrolling through the MEXUS Compact on Competitiveness, when zingo, up comes the subhead “Energy Security”. Oh boy, here we go again. Don’t forget to check out the “leadership” list at the end:

With the fourth largest crude oil reserves in the Western Hemisphere, Mexico nonetheless imported $2.4 billion of gasoline and $1.5 billion of natural gas in 2003. This staggering reality, the result of Constitutional requirements that restrict foreign investment in the hydrocarbons sector, was exacerbated in 2004 by higher import volumes and
international prices.
As a result, Mexico’s energy sector, central to the country’s economy and a legitimate source of national pride, faces the challenge within the framework of its Constitution of drawing substantial foreign investment flows to modernize, expand, and improve production.

Increased production would help Mexico meet its growing domestic demand for energy, while allowing increased exports to augment the inflow of revenues
and to realize corresponding benefits. Without making conditions more attractive for private investors in the near term, PEMEX, Mexico’s national oil company will be unable to sustain its role as the primary underwriter of Mexico’s annual budgetary needs over
time.

Additionally, unless Mexico finds cost-effective means to raise production, overall security and competitiveness within North America will be impacted.

From the MEXUS “Compact on Competitiveness”

The business community respects and deeply appreciates the political sensitivities toward private investment in the Mexican state-owned energy sector, even as we believe that Mexico would greatly benefit by liberalizing its energy sector.

By partnering with US and Canadian energy companies, Mexico can position itself to meet domestic demand as well as increase its reserves and revenues while contributing to growth in energy dependent sectors.

US and Canadian energy companies are interested in becoming actively engaged in Mexico’s energy market and are willing to invest much needed financial, management, and technological resources to increase energy availability and efficiency in North America.

Specifically, recent claims to vast deepwater oil reserves in the Gulf of Mexico could be a boost to the country’s total energy output and national income. Tapping into these new sources, however, will require Mexican Congressional
approval and increased cooperation with foreign companies that have the technical and financial strength required to undergo such complicated explorations. Without such cooperation, Mexico will be unable to reap the full benefits of deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

As well, US and Canadian companies tend to promote a culture of philanthropy including support for schools, hospitals, and the arts that would bring benefits to Mexico beyond sector-specific investments. The first step would be to create an appropriate investment framework to allow for such foreign investment on market terms.

Appendix I
US-Council, MEXUS Leadership Team

ChevronTexaco Corporation
Eastman Kodak Company
First Data Corporation
Ford Motor Company
Kissinger McLarty Associates
Manatt Jones Global Strategies
Merck & Company
MetLife
Miller & Chevalier Chartered
Nextel International/NII Holdings
The Procter & Gamble Company

The views expressed in this report are the collective opinions of individuals representing companies
associated with the US-Mexico Business Committee and/or the Council of the Americas. They are not
necessarily the views of the companies themselves.

Greetings all. The very latest monthly information on the criminal enforcement of immigration cases shows that January prosecutions were almost 18% higher than they were in December and over 100% higher than they were five years ago. TRAC’s January Monthly Update Bulletin also provides specific data on the most frequently used laws, busiest districts
and most active judges. To see this timely report go to http://trac.syr.edu/immigration and click on “Reports and Bulletins.”

Also note the two reports on Protecting the Borders. Both provide insights about President Bush’s immigration plan. One report, for example,
shows that in the last ten years Border Patrol agents have more than doubled but “apprehensions” of aliens declined by about ten percent. A second report shows that Border Patrol staff increased at a faster rate
under President Clinton than in the Bush years. Both reports have sector-by-sector data.

David Burnham and Susan B. Long, co-directors

Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse
Syracuse University

Reviewing the Mar del Pata Plan of Action forged at the Fourth Summit of the Americas in Argentina last year (Nov. 2005) we find the two footnotes most instructive. In both cases, the USA delegation refuses to honor the precedence of international rights for workers and migrant workers.
For example, here is paragraph 18 as agreed to by the Summit of the Americas, emphasis added:

18. To adopt measures to encourage the full and effective exercise of the rights of all workers, including migrant workers, as well as application of core labor standards, such as those contained in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its follow-up, adopted in 1998. Explore ways for the ILO to provide technical advisory services to member states to help them accomplish that objective.

In the following footnote to paragraph 18, the USA prefers the authority of state law to “core labor standards” of the ILO. Instead of “full and effective exercise” of international rights, the USA prefers to “promote respect”:

Paragraph 18: The United States reserves on this paragraph and prefers instead the following text: “Protect and promote the rights of all workers, including migrant workers in accordance with the legal framework of each country, and applicable international law, and promote respect for the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its follow-up. Explore ways for the ILO to provide technical advisory services to Member States to help them accomplish that objective.”

And here is the summit’s paragraph on migrant workers with emphasis added:

To strengthen constructive dialogue on international migration, with a view to full recognition of human rights of migrant workers, reduce their vulnerable conditions at work, as well as advocate effective compliance of the principle of equality and non-discrimination at work in accordance with international instruments in this area and, thereby, ensure that migration is an orderly process that benefits all parties and boosts productivity at the global level.

Compare this to the second and last footnote attached to the summit plan by the USA:

Paragraph 20: The United States notes that this language was discussed in connection with the declaration and consensus was achieved, including the United States, on the basis of the following language: “increase Inter-American cooperation and dialogue to reduce and discourage undocumented migration as well as to promote migration processes in accordance with the legal system of each state and applicable international human rights law.”

Activists from the USA who would argue for the precedence of international rights for border affairs, workers, and migrant workers may argue that they have the rest of the Americas on their side. In this case, where do real Americans stand?

Leave it to Free Republic (no link) to find this Dec. 13 gem from Tucson. It begins with a recollection of the 2002 action at the Dow tower:

Weak from the effects of her hunger strike she did not have the strength nor stamina to get down from the tower. She had to get the attention of a security guard in order to request help getting down from tower. If it had not been for that, it is unlikely she would not have been apprended, arrested, or convicted on criminal trespass.

Trespass charges often bring light sentences or are dismissed. After complying with all the court hearing formalities, Diane, a mother of five with one special needs adult child still in her care, decided she could not accept the harsh sentence of 120 days imposed at that time.

It is three years later now, and Katie Heims reports, "While she was planning the Houston action, Diane and I were discussing the possiblity of her going to prison for a long time. She was in some ways, looking forward to it because she was tired of living out of bags these past couple of months. Also, she really missed writing. She was desperate to get back to the second book she’s been working on."

Her currently pending hearing for removing and displaying her wrap that had a message written on the inside of it and shouting "Corporate Greed Kills, and Iraq kills too!"at the Delay fundraiser and to which she had a legitimate invitation/ticket, has been postponed until she’s served her time at Calhoun County.

Katie provided additional information: The $1500 raised and paid as bond money will take 4-7 weeks until the the check is returned and contributors can be repaid. The judge, however, has raised her bond pending settlement/time served in Calhoun County and her return to return to deal with Harris County. Diane’s attorney hopes to be able to have this reduced at a later date. In the event she’s convicted in Harris County, she will get credit toward any punishment she might receive. The attorney would like to have the sentence reduced from 120 days to 90 days.