August 01, 2007

Mexico, environmentalists oppose border fence; Argentina insulted

From this:

Mexico is calling on the United States to alter a plan to expand border fences designed to stem illegal immigration, saying the barriers would threaten migratory species accustomed to roaming freely across the frontier.

Ways to minimize environmental damage from the fences could include the creation of cross-border bridge areas so that ecosystems remain connected and "green corridors" of wilderness without roads that would be less attractive to smugglers, according to a report released yesterday and prepared for the Mexican government by experts and activists from both nations [mentioned: Mexico's Environment Department, Environment Secretary Juan Rafael Elvira, Exequiel Ezcurra, director of research at the San Diego Natural History Museum].

The report also proposed "live" fences of cactuses, removable fencing, and more permeable barriers to allow water, insects and pollen to cross the border. Ecologists say species affected include Mexican jaguars and black bears, and the endangered, antelope-like Sonora Pronghorn...

Somehow I think the only thing "green" the Mexican government cares about is the color of our money. They also say they'll file a complaint with the United Nations' International Court of Justice if necessary; they've done that before on another matter.

Meanwhile:

A U.S. plan to expand fences along the Mexican border to stem illegal immigration is an insult to all Latin Americans, Argentine President Nestor Kirchner said Tuesday during a visit to Mexico.

"It's not just an insult to our sister nation of Mexico, but to all the nations of Latin America and all the nations of the world," the leftist president said to the applause of Mexican lawmakers...

Posted to Immigration2007a at August 1, 2007 10:35 AM