Mexican Officials Downplay U.S. Role in Airport Checks

Mexican Officials Downplay U.S. Role in Airport Checks
Arizona Republic, AZ

Jan. 7, 2004 12:00 AM


MEXICO CITY - Mexican government officials on Monday denied that armed U.S. 
agents are conducting searches at the Mexico City airport or determining which 
flights should be canceled as terrorism risks. 

The denial comes amid controversy over the perception that U.S. officials are 
searching passengers and luggage and conducting investigations at Mexico City's 
airport.

Since New Year's Eve, two flights from Mexico City into the United States have 
either been turned back or canceled for fear of terrorism activities.

In addition, officials revealed that in the past several days, officials found 
two abandoned bags - one at Tijuana's airport and the other in Acapulco - that 
on first inspection showed signs of containing explosives. Further inspection 
revealed no explosives.

Mexican government officials say that though they are on heightened alert, they 
are acting according to the needs of the Mexican government and cooperating 
with U.S. officials under the terms of agreements in place since 1992.

In the meantime, at least 10 more American agents have showed up at the airport 
and have been added to security operations.

There are nine daily non-stop flights to Phoenix from Mexican destinations.

At a news conference, Armando Salinas Torre, a high-ranking official in the 
Interior Ministry, said the U.S. officials, some from the FBI, are there only 
as liaisons to share information about possible threats.

"The Mexican government made the decision to coordinate efforts between its 
institutions and those of the United States so that this synergy can detect 
potential risks," Salinas Torre said.

Mexico has put in place more stringent searches of passengers, baggage and 
planes at its five busiest airports: Mexico City, Cancun, Guadalajara, 
Monterrey and Los Cabos. Those airports have also put in place digital systems 
that will collect information from passengers' migratory documents.

Eventually, Salinas Torre said, the program will include photographs and 
fingerprinting, similar to the US VISIT program that the United States enacted 
Monday. Mexico will extend the measures to its 172 points of entry as budgets 
allow.

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