Tabasco can't get U.S. help

[douglas9]

Source: Laredo Morning Times

Tabasco can't get U.S. help
By MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV , LAREDO MORNING TIMES

NUEVO LAREDO - A tractor-trailer packed with donated clothing for families in Tabasco, which suffered devastating floods in late October, has been stuck on the Texas-Mexico border for nearly two weeks, blocked by Mexican authorities from continuing its southward trek.Two other trailers filled with food were finally released last week, after local human rights advocates demanded action.


"They (Mexican Customs officials) claim to be enforcing laws but they are interpreting them contrary to the needs of the people who are suffering," said Nuevo Laredo attorney Sergio Chavira, a civic activist who's been working to get the goods to Tabasco. "That is immoral."

Chavira said Mexican Customs is working against the wishes of President Felipe Calderón, who asked the international community to help the Tabasco victims.

It was Chavira and Raymundo Ramos, of the border Human Rights office in Nuevo Laredo, who persuaded officials to allow the food to go through, but as of Friday they still hadn't been able to get the same permission for the clothing.

Read more: http://www.zwire.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=2290&dept_id=569392&newsid=19056459

[DS1]

1. Hey, that food could be from China

You wouldn't want it, either

[Robbien]

2. "allowing the trucks to pass would violate federal law"

Well how about that. The article states there is a federal law in Mexico against used clothing coming into the country.

We can export pesticides and poisonous rejects to Mexico, but send over some used t-shirts and one could go to jail.

[alarimer]

3. They haven't paid off the right people.

I am sure some well-placed bribes will get that stuff rolling.

[Zorra]

4. Bingo. n/t