US defense chief visits Mexico seeking improved military ties

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: AFP

MEXICO CITY (AFP) — US Defense Secretary Robert Gates made a low profile visit here Tuesday to explore ways to strengthen military relations between two neighbors with historically thorny relations.

Gates's visit was the second ever by a US defense chief, and the first since a groundbreaking visit 12 years ago by former US defense secretary William Perry.

It comes amid a rising tide of leftist regimes in Latin America led by Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, and uncertain prospects for change in Cuba after the death of the Fidel Castro.

But senior US defense officials said Gates' agenda focuses more narrowly on building closer ties between the US and Mexican militaries, rather than on the broader regional issues.

The Mexican military historically has maintained arms-length relations with the US military. The loss of large parts of Mexico's territory to the United States in a mid-19th century war is still bitterly felt.



Read more: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hBb1XQ1h-y-0OQGZPG8w0dgOPqYA

[bemildred]

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[AlphaCentauri]

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:sarcasm:

[bemildred]

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