‘I need that technology. Give it to me.’

by Robert Koehler on December 11, 2007

Completely off topic, I admit, but I was so struck by this comment by Mexican President Felipe Calderon that I couldn’t let it go without a link. That, my friends, is cajones.

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

1 FD December 12, 2007 at 2:47 am: Presidente Calderón is expressing the general Mexican sentiment concerning America: ‘I need that country. Give it to me. And give it to me without conditions.’
2 user-81 December 12, 2007 at 4:10 am: Holy missing context, Batman!

The “it” in “give it to me” is the aid, training, and equipment Calderon needs to fight the US-led drug war to stop the drugs Americans demand.

However, Calderón appeared to reject any added conditions on a proposed $1.4 billion U.S. anti-drug aid package that had been negotiated with Washington, saying, “I cannot accept any submission or subordination.”

The proposal, dubbed the Merida Initiative, is meant to give Mexico aid, training and equipment to fight drug trafficking, which Washington sees as a U.S. national security problem.

The funding still awaits approval in Congress, and some U.S. legislators have said the program may need safeguards to prevent corruption or human rights abuses by Mexican military and law enforcement personnel.

“I need that technology,” Calderón said. “Give it to me. And give it to me without conditions.”
3 FD December 12, 2007 at 11:46 am: I’m well aware of the context, which only highlights el Presidente’s brazen attitude. Who’d trust the Mexican government with any amount of money, much less $1.4 billion ‘without conditions’?
4 mateomiguel December 12, 2007 at 5:24 pm: Yeah. We made a deal, now I’m going to change my half of the deal and demand that you keep yours. And bring me a beer while you’re up!