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[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.

                          ____________________
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