Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico (AHN) – The U.S. and Mexican governments signed agreements Tuesday designed to improve airline security as Mexico continues its war against drug cartels. The two countries also agreed to seek ways to protect immigrants, who are often targeted by criminals as they cross over the international border.

“In the face of ever-evolving multinational threats, the United States is committed to working with our international partners to enhance information-sharing and our mutual security,” U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement.

She signed the treaty on behalf of the United States at a ceremony in Mexico City.

A key part of the agreement is a trusted traveler program that allows airline passengers who have undergone rigorous background checks to bypass lengthy screenings at airport checkpoints. They also must provide biometric information – such as fingerprints – that can be encoded onto trusted traveler cards and run through electronic card readers.

The travelers also must answer customs declaration questions on touch-screen kiosks, then present transaction receipts to customs agents before leaving the inspection area.

The program thereby gives Customs and Border Protection agents more time to focus on searching other travelers and their baggage, or what Napolitano called the “greatest risk.”

The new method for screening passengers is based on Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program.

Another part of the agreement called for greater information sharing about travelers.

Mexican Interior Ministry Secretary Jose Francisco Blake Mora signed the treaty on behalf of Mexico.

He said the treaty opens a dialogue on methods “to reduce the flow of arms into Mexico and strengthen border security.”

Illegal weapons imported into Mexico are a hot topic in the drug war that started in December 2006, when Mexican President Felipe Calderon ordered troops to help crack down on gangs.

Mexico blames the United States for failing to prevent weapons from being shipped illegally across the border to be used against the police and military.

The U.S. government says Mexico shares the blame for allowing drug cartels to gain too much power.

Blake Mora said about 84 million Mexicans could qualify for the Global Entry program.

“It facilitates the entry of business travelers and tourists, whose activities are key factors for economic development, growth of trade and cultural exchange,” he said.

Napolitano and Blake Mora also signed a “letter of intent” to develop a plan for protecting immigrants from attacks by criminals as they cross the border.

The Mexican government occasionally has expressed anger at the way illegal immigrants are robbed, beaten or murdered but are given no protection by U.S. law enforcement agents.

Blake Mora said the letter of intent is supposed to create cooperation that would help “combat trafficking and reduce the risk to life and security of migrants who are victims of crime.”

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Paris, France (NewsBahn) – Delegates from 48 countries ended a week-long conservation conference here Saturday with an agreement on new protections for several species of endangered sharks, but failed to tighten limits on harvesting bluefin tuna.

Members of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas voted to ban the fishing and sale of seven species of sharks whose numbers have dropped drastically due to overfishing. The ban covers oceanic whitetip sharks and six types of hammerheads:

• Great
• Scalloped
• Scoophead
• Smalleye
• Smooth
• Whitefin

Populations of these sharks are estimated to have declined up to 99 percent in various oceans around the world.

Catch of bonnethead sharks, a type of hammerhead, will still be allowed in the Atlantic, as well as fishing for hammerheads by coastal communities where the fish is intended for eating.

At the same time, delegates reduced by only 4 percent the quota of eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna that could be taken in waters off Europe, or to close the fish’s spawning grounds in the Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean. The 2011 quota for the eastern Atlantic was cut from 13,500 metric tons to 12,900 metric tons and from 1,800 metric tons to 1,750 metric tons in the western Atlantic

Scientists believe the species is in danger of becoming commercially extinct, and some at the meeting had called for deeper cuts. Dr. Michael Hirshfield, head of the delegation for conservation group Oceana, called the result a “massive failure for bluefin tuna and swordfish, with only modest progress for sharks and sea turtles.”

“Despite the flowery rhetoric, it was ‘business as usual’ for ICCAT,” Hirshfield said in a statement.

Oceana’s fisheries campaign manager, Maria Jose Cornax, termed as “trivial” the quota reductions for bluefin tuna. “Without an industrial fishing closure, it actually encourages illegal fishing and fails to ensure stock recovery.”

A proposal by U.S. delegates to ban the removal of shark fins at sea was turned back after Japan objected.

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Texas, El Paso, United States (AHN) – The FBI and U.S. military authorities are investigating the assassination Wednesday afternoon of an American National Guardsman in Juarez City, Mexico.

The Guardsman, identified as Pfc. Jose Gil Hernandez Ramirez, 22, was shot to death with a Mexican man outside a home, Mexican police reported.

Witnesses said gunmen approached the men and began firing suddenly, leaving them lying dead in the street.

“The Texas National Guard family has lost a friend and fellow soldier and he will be missed,” the Guard said in a statement.

The second murder victim was identified as Rafael Ramirez Reza, a Juarez resident.

A third unidentified companion was reportedly injured by gunshots but fled the scene.

Hernandez was stationed at Fort Bliss, outside of El Paso, Texas.

Hernandez is one of more than 50 Americans killed in Juarez since Mexico started its crackdown on drug cartels four years ago.

More than 28,000 people have been killed in the struggle. So far this year, about 2,500 people were killed in Juarez.

The city is a gateway for illegal drugs and weapons smuggling between Mexico and the United States.

Hernandez was chatting with his companions when a car and a motorcycle approached them about 3 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a police report. The motorcycle rider and occupants of the car began firing with pistols, striking all three men.

Police recovered 18 shell casings from the scene.

Hernandez was assigned to the Texas National Guard’s Headquarters Battery Third Battalion at Fort Bliss since 2007, his father told Mexican police.

The Texas National Guard warns active duty Guardsmen from entering Juarez because of the violence.

Hernandez was a reservist and student. He worked as a fire direction sensor specialist for the Texas National Guard.

An FBI spokesman said he apparently was in Mexico on personal business.

The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division has joined the investigation of his death.

Hernandez is one of at least three U.S. military personnel assassinated in Juarez during Mexico’s war on drugs.

The body of a Marine Corps reservist was thrown off a cliff in Juarez after being shot in 2008.

Last year, a U.S. airman from New Mexico was killed when gunmen shot up a bar.

Juarez used to be a popular nightspot for American servicemen who would cross the border from El Paso until they were ordered to stop going to the city.

Hernandez was one of 31 people reportedly killed in fighting between drug cartels and Mexican police nationwide on Wednesday.

During the gunfights, the U.S. Consulate in the border city of Nuevo Laredo warned American citizens not to leave their homes.

Government officials in the city across the border from Laredo, Texas, said drug gangs had blocked several intersections in the city, including one near the U.S. Consulate.

Parents rushed to schools to retrieve their children.

In Reynosa, across the border from McAllen, Texas, local government officials issued a warning through Internet messaging telling residents to stay indoors during a gun battle.

The gunmen reportedly used stolen cars and buses to create roadblocks during the fight with soldiers.

Police said gunmen forced people out of their cars in the Nuevo Laredo gunfight to use their vehicles for blockades.

Northeastern Mexico is reportedly a hotbed for a struggle between the Gulf and Zeta cartels to control drug smuggling into the United States.

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Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The U.S. government announced financial sanctions Thursday against Mexican companies accused of helping the Sinaloa drug cartel launder money it earns from its criminal enterprises.

The Treasury Department is seizing the U.S. assets of 12 companies and 16 individuals it has linked to Alejandro Flores Cacho, a suspected associate of the Sinaloa drug cartel.

Most of the suspicion falls on an air transport company that officially carries cargo between Colombia and Mexico. It is run by Cacho.

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) says the company also carries drugs and uses its business operations to hide cash brought in from illegal drug trade.

Other companies on the Treasury Department’s list include an electronics supply company, a farm animal breeding company, an office supply store and a popular Mexico City restaurant.

The Treasury Department’s action authorizes the U.S. Justice Department to seize the property and freeze the bank accounts of any companies or individuals on the list.

The federal Kingpin Act also forbids U.S. companies from dealing with anyone listed by the government as a “significant foreign narcotics trafficker.”

“Today’s designation targets the network of Alejandro Flores Cacho, who has used his air cargo and financial front companies to move drugs and money on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel,” OFAC Director Adam Szubin said in a statement. “Treasury will continue to target the Mexican drug cartels in support of the government of Mexico’s dedicated and courageous efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and money laundering.”

A U.S. government statement says Cacho leads a group of pilots and airplane fleet operators that distribute narcotics by air and sea throughout Latin America. Later, the drugs are smuggled into the United States.

The group uses what appears to be a legitimate air cargo and maintenance company called Aero Express Intercontinental in Mexico City as a front for its illegal activities, according to the Treasury Department.

Cacho operates an air flight school, called Professional Aviation Training, located in Cuernavaca, Mexico, that trains pilots involved in drug transport, the Treasury Department reported.

Cacho and one of his lieutenants, Ricardo Garcia Sanchez, have been fugitives from U.S. authorities since 2008, when the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas indicted both of them on drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

They have been linked to Joaquin Guzman Loera, reputed leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel and one of the world’s wealthiest men.

A spokesman for Mexico’s Attorney General said prosecutors have not charged many of the people and companies listed by the Treasury Department because they were not immediately notified of the evidence the U.S. government compiled against suspects.

“For us, the most important thing is not that we mark people or companies but the why and how and what evidence is available to prove it to guide our actions,” Ricardo Najera Herrera, Mexican Attorney General spokesman, told the Mexican news media.

The Sinaloa Cartel operates primarily along Mexico’s West Coast, where it is responsible for importing and distributing nearly 200 tons of cocaine and large amounts of heroin into the United States between 1990 and 2008, according to the U.S. Attorney General.

U.S. law enforcement agencies have said Sinaloa Cartel leaders often evade prosecution because they have operated with assistance from Mexican federal police and soldiers.

The Treasury Department has used its authority under the Kingpin Act to blacklist nearly 800 businesses and individuals linked to 87 drug kingpins since June 2000.

U.S. businesses that deal with anyone blacklisted under the Act can be fined up to $1 million for each civil violation or face up to 30 years in prison and $5 million in fines for criminal violations.

Civil violations normally mean the violators were negligent in failing to check out their business associates. Criminal violations normally mean the offenders knew their associates were blacklisted by the U.S. government but did business with them anyway.

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Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The United States on Tuesday announced twelve finalists for the Secretary of State’s prestigious 2010 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) and the 2010 ACE winners will be announced at the annual ceremony hosted by the Secretary of State later this fall.

According to the state department communique, these U.S. companies were chosen from a record number of 78 nominations submitted by American ambassadors around the world. “ACE finalists are international business leaders who recognize the vital role that U.S. businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens,” it noted.

Since 1999, the Secretary of State has awarded the ACE and the department “is committed to working with business to further these best practices worldwide and to recognize efforts to improve lives at home and abroad.”

Out of the this year’s 12 finalists two each are in India and China, while one each hail from Mexico, Israel, Swaziland, Guatemala, Fiji, Costa Rica, Ghana, Armenia.

The details of the companies and their activities are:

Alta Ventures in Mexico – for the venture capital company’s work to open Mexico’s venture capital market; foster greater investment, employment, entrepreneurship, and U.S. exports; and share best practices in areas such as education, innovation, remittances, crime mapping, clean technology, health care, and information technology

Cisco in Israel – for the computer networking company’s efforts to reconnect the Israeli and Palestinian economies and people; build a sustainable model of job creation and economic development; and engage in several partnerships and initiatives to enhance technical capacity, connectivity, education, and opportunities for women and youths in Israel and Palestine

Coca-Cola in Swaziland – for the beverage company’s work to improve local communities’ water, education, and health; promote entrepreneurship; foster local science and technology initiatives; and demonstrate exemplary employment practices

Denimatrix in Guatemala – for the textile and apparel company’s environmental stewardship in reducing the environmental impact stemming from its production process; contributing to the development of the local economy; and reaching out to the community to help disadvantaged youth and the homeless

Fiji Water in Fiji – for the bottled water company’s disaster relief efforts; volunteerism; partnerships that focus on local health, education, and provision of water; and “carbon negative” approach to product lifecycle and conservation efforts

GE in India – for the diversified technology, media and financial services company’s fostering of local partnerships and volunteerism, supporting health, education, innovation and disaster recovery projects across India; exemplary employment practices; and promotion of cleaner, more energy efficient products

Intel in Costa Rica – for the semiconductor company’s contributions to revolutionizing science and technology education in Costa Rica’s public schools through volunteer programs and community leadership; volunteerism; and practicing environmental stewardship that benefits local communities through means such as innovative recycling programs

Mars, Inc. in Ghana – for the confectionary manufacturer’s improvement of farming methods, sensitizing communities against child labor, and promoting the overall well-being and sustainability of cocoa growing communities; building partnerships to advance community empowerment; and contributing to the sustainable growth of rural economies

PepsiCo in India – for the beverage company’s fostering of environmental sustainability through water conservation efforts, which has benefited small and marginal farmers; supporting the health and well-being of local communities; and providing important employment opportunities through training with a focus on diversity and inclusion

Qualcomm in China – for the wireless company’s initiatives in education, healthcare and entrepreneurship; improving economic conditions; and enhancing the quality of life for Chinese citizens, particularly in underserved communities

Synopsys in Armenia – for the software and programming company’s promotion of U.S. and foreign investors by showcasing Armenia as a potential informational technology (IT) hub; collaboration with universities on IT training programs; and reduction of pollution levels by planting hundreds of trees to counter recent deforestation

Tang Energy in China – for the energy company’s efforts to promote development and U.S.-Sino cooperation in clean energy technologies; enhance industrial energy efficiency; and provide student health and education opportunities

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Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The United States on Tuesday announced twelve finalists for the Secretary of State’s prestigious 2010 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) and the 2010 ACE winners will be announced at the annual ceremony hosted by the Secretary of State later this fall.

According to the state department communique, these U.S. companies were chosen from a record number of 78 nominations submitted by American ambassadors around the world. “ACE finalists are international business leaders who recognize the vital role that U.S. businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens,” it noted.

Since 1999, the Secretary of State has awarded the ACE and the department “is committed to working with business to further these best practices worldwide and to recognize efforts to improve lives at home and abroad.”

Out of the this year’s 12 finalists two each are in India and China, while one each hail from Mexico, Israel, Swaziland, Guatemala, Fiji, Costa Rica, Ghana, Armenia.

The details of the companies and their activities are:

Alta Ventures in Mexico – for the venture capital company’s work to open Mexico’s venture capital market; foster greater investment, employment, entrepreneurship, and U.S. exports; and share best practices in areas such as education, innovation, remittances, crime mapping, clean technology, health care, and information technology

Cisco in Israel – for the computer networking company’s efforts to reconnect the Israeli and Palestinian economies and people; build a sustainable model of job creation and economic development; and engage in several partnerships and initiatives to enhance technical capacity, connectivity, education, and opportunities for women and youths in Israel and Palestine

Coca-Cola in Swaziland – for the beverage company’s work to improve local communities’ water, education, and health; promote entrepreneurship; foster local science and technology initiatives; and demonstrate exemplary employment practices

Denimatrix in Guatemala – for the textile and apparel company’s environmental stewardship in reducing the environmental impact stemming from its production process; contributing to the development of the local economy; and reaching out to the community to help disadvantaged youth and the homeless

Fiji Water in Fiji – for the bottled water company’s disaster relief efforts; volunteerism; partnerships that focus on local health, education, and provision of water; and “carbon negative” approach to product lifecycle and conservation efforts

GE in India – for the diversified technology, media and financial services company’s fostering of local partnerships and volunteerism, supporting health, education, innovation and disaster recovery projects across India; exemplary employment practices; and promotion of cleaner, more energy efficient products

Intel in Costa Rica – for the semiconductor company’s contributions to revolutionizing science and technology education in Costa Rica’s public schools through volunteer programs and community leadership; volunteerism; and practicing environmental stewardship that benefits local communities through means such as innovative recycling programs

Mars, Inc. in Ghana – for the confectionary manufacturer’s improvement of farming methods, sensitizing communities against child labor, and promoting the overall well-being and sustainability of cocoa growing communities; building partnerships to advance community empowerment; and contributing to the sustainable growth of rural economies

PepsiCo in India – for the beverage company’s fostering of environmental sustainability through water conservation efforts, which has benefited small and marginal farmers; supporting the health and well-being of local communities; and providing important employment opportunities through training with a focus on diversity and inclusion

Qualcomm in China – for the wireless company’s initiatives in education, healthcare and entrepreneurship; improving economic conditions; and enhancing the quality of life for Chinese citizens, particularly in underserved communities

Synopsys in Armenia – for the software and programming company’s promotion of U.S. and foreign investors by showcasing Armenia as a potential informational technology (IT) hub; collaboration with universities on IT training programs; and reduction of pollution levels by planting hundreds of trees to counter recent deforestation

Tang Energy in China – for the energy company’s efforts to promote development and U.S.-Sino cooperation in clean energy technologies; enhance industrial energy efficiency; and provide student health and education opportunities

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Let’s take the recent North Korean negotiations over nuclear arms, which were actually making some headway. North Korea was moving forward towards a more open an honest relationship with the United States. Then all of a sudden they flipped and instead opened relationships with China at a great larger level, perhaps even using counterfeit US Dollars as currency in paying off the Debts that North Korea owes to China? Speculation.

Another example is Pakistan, where much of Al Queda lives and the U.S. special teams are strategically taking out Al Queda strongholds and buildings using Predator Drones and hellfire missiles. Pakistan has not helped us in removing these terrorists, although they work little hard to pretend to, of course to their credit they do have a large population which is somewhat anti-US and they even had fired on our Rescue Helicopters there to help assist in the Pakistani Earthquake. Now the Pakistan leader and general says that the U.S. is crossing the line on “Pakistani Sovereignty.” The general has canceled the deal to buy F-16s from the United States and is entering the relationship with China to buy and co-build fighter aircraft. Inferior aircraft? Yes, but that is not the point here.

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China is also in close relationships with Iran. Has sold them ICBMs capable of carrying nuclear warheads over 1295 miles and other more sensitive technologies, which is problematic as well. Sure we have discussed this, but now China liking this deal and customer and looking for oil to buy to feed its new appetite, blocks UN Security Council resolutions to stop Iranian enrichment of Atomic Bombs?

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However, what really do these nations stand to gain from her relationship with China; Protection or perceived protection, well certainly Iran is getting their monies worth at the UN and North Korean Leader lives another day to taunt the USA? China wants to continue their growth and new customers for the items they produce including weapons, but in trade what will these nations sell China? I submit to you that China would like to buy energy assets, oil and raw materials. Is North Korea going to grow ethanol for China? Obviously Iran will sell them oil but North Korea still owes the money in trade deals. What can Pakistan sell them?

We also find China is establishing relationships with Venezuela, Cuba and Mexico. In Cuba they will be drilling for oil and natural gas which are in the same fields underneath the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Key West that the United States will not allow companies to drill for. Meanwhile, Mexico is sending the legal aliens to invade our country and send money back to spur on Mexican Growth. Cuba is ready to pass the torch to Castro’s Sons and Venezuela does not like the U.S. Anyone see a future worsening of the problem yet as protestors of illegal aliens assert their right to free speech in a nation they do not even belong in on May Day, a Communist Holiday for God Sake, wake up!

It seems China is willing to deal with less than ethical partners and some have even said that China has also dealt in U.S. counterfeit currency. China also will not allow free speech of the Internet and is believed to be testing Bio-weapons, which involved bird flu on their own peasants. Either China is so hungry for raw materials and worried about economic collapse, currency juggling and is becoming a PR façade, as civil unrest grows or they themselves need to be judged by the company they’re willing to keep. Thus either the United States needs to go back and start dealing with less than ethical world leaders and adopt a less self-righteousness diplomatic policy for a more Machiavellian approach or the United States of America needs to strengthen its national defense, its borders and military and allies to a much higher level. If not be prepared to fight the whole friggin world and that means getting tough and doing the unthinkable in the coming decades and I do not mean precision bombs and guided smart ordinance unless it is massive destructive power. We must have that option if needed and not be afraid to defend if we fail to win friend and influence people. Not pretty to talk about, okay forget I said it, but don’t forget the points here.

This is not taking anything away from China, as when nations grow very fast sometimes they have to do a little extra scrambling however, the lengths at which they will go to must be questioned, as some feel they are indeed over the border line of ethical political maneuvering on several fronts including but not limited to; fair and honest dealings at the United Nations, human rights violations and counterfeit currency, to name a few. It is difficult for a nation that deals with honesty and integrity, as well as transparency and businesses, which are forced to deal with a nation, which follows no rules, takes the advantage and cheats against their so-called allies, trading partners and friends. But their maneuvering is fun to watch isn’t it, maybe that in itself is transparent? Pretend I did not say or think that, but understand and remember the point of contention these comments are indeed eluding too.

I predict that either China will need to have a war in order to continue the present growth or it will face civil unrest, a bloody and short lived Civil War and an Industrial Revolution all in the next two decades. The problem is if enough unethical and fanatical regimes get together with the help of China then we may actually be funding a war against the United States of America, even if China herself holds short of participating in directly. Many nations in the past periods have indeed sold weapons, munitions and partly bank rolled and funded both sides or all sides.

Am I alarmed by this well, yes and no; Yes because currently China is selling weapons and technology to Iran. China is buying advanced weapons systems from Israel, which is sharing technology with United States of America. China is buying advanced weapons systems and fighter planes, nuclear submarines and learning about missile technology from Russia. Iran sponsors international terrorism and is building nuclear weapons and buying anti-aircraft systems from Russia and God only knows what else. (Bio, torpedoes, nuclear, guidance systems, etc.)

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/strategic-planning-articles/china-economic-policy-1337237.html