San Diego Metropolitan - The Connection

The world was divided over the use of military force in Iraq. For weeks, the United States had attempted to convince U.N. member countries to support its hard line position, but failed. Many historical allies were solidly against U.S. policy. Among these countries were the nation’s NAFTA trading partners — Canada and Mexico.

It should not have been a great surprise that Mexico would be opposed to U.S. military intervention. For decades “nonintervention in the affairs of others” has been the cornerstone of its foreign policy. This policy has ruffled U.S. feathers, notably in incidents such as the intervention against the Contras in Nicaragua, the Cuban economic embargo and the invasion of Panama. Mexico has been consistent in its nonsupport of U.S. foreign policy when it calls for intervention of any kind.

Typically Mexico’s position has been of little consequence to U.S. policymakers. What made the Iraqi situation different and Mexico’s support important was Mexico’s ascent into the ranks of the U.N. Security Council. The U.S. needed Mexico’s vote, but would not get it, Mexico made that clear. Understandably, President Bush felt betrayed, while Mexico felt justified.

To those of us who live along the U.S.-Mexico border, these diametrically opposing views hold great lessons. The majority of U.S. citizens supported military action; most Mexican citizens — including citizens of Baja California — did not. The lesson is that although we are neighbors with much in common, we are fundamentally different in our global perspectives. When these differences come to bear on an issue, we cannot, nor should we, expect Mexico’s support or even understanding.

San Diego’s relationship with Baja California is, and should remain, a regional one bonded by common objectives with mutual benefits. It is to our mutual benefit to protect and improve our environment and our citizens’ health; increase educational and training opportunities; increase our two-way commercial and trade activities, provide security for our citizens and visitors; attract regional investment and create sustainable and higher quality employment.

Success in attaining common benefits is largely dependent on the ease and speed of border crossings. As the region well knows, delay acts as a barrier. Common interest suggests that both sides should make a concentrated effort to better facilitate and speed border crossings.

However, while the issue of border security to prevent the entry of terrorist enemies of the United States is of paramount importance to us, the silence on the subject from our neighbors indicates it is of little or at least of lesser importance to them.

Border security cannot be allowed to depend on Mexico’s perspective on what constitutes a danger to our citizens and property, or whether we are overreacting to a nonexistent threat. On this issue, which should be a shared responsibility for our region’s common benefit, San Diego and indeed the United States, cannot and will not gamble. It is clear that U.S. citizens are the targets of terrorists, not Mexicans — at least not at this time.

The United States understands that the business of the United States is business. As such, it is necessary to invest in securing ports of entry with state-of-the-art equipment that will be far less disruptive to the flow of traffic.

San Ysidro Sentri lane users may have noticed some construction activity in early April. Cement bases were poured for the installation of a “Vehicle Stopping System” designed to safely capture would-be port runners. Once operational (in May or early June), the system is capable of immediately stopping vehicles speeding up to 65 miles per hour, safely and without personal injury to its occupants or border personnel.

The system developer, Mark Land Technologies of Richfield, Conn., was awarded a $2 million installation contract by the Department of Homeland Security for the five ports of entry having Sentri lanes — San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, El Paso, Detroit and Buffalo. The second phase is to begin installing them at all border gates.

Another phase under fast track development, reports Trevor Ruehs of Mark Land Technologies, is sensor equipment capable of detecting explosives hidden by plastic or other nonmetallic containers such as those carried by the “shoe bomber.”

Given the time to develop the high technology such times demand, U.S. borders will be nearly impenetrable by terrorist forces. Meanwhile, border delays will continue to be a disruptive way of life.

In San Diego we hope Baja Californians will understand, and though we understand it’s our war, not theirs, we have been kind of hoping they would ask how they could help. After all, it’s their border, too.

Patrick Osio Jr. can be reached through San Diego Metropolitan or by e-mail at posiojr@aol.com.