Two accounts of Putin’s visit to Mexico, the first highlights military aspects the second international parallels.
-Am
Monday, June 7, 2004 · Last updated 7:41 a.m. PT
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEXICO CITY -- Russian President Vladimir Putin flew to Mexico on Monday for talks with his Mexican counterpart, who has said he hoped to increase military cooperation with Moscow.
The Putin visit was the first by a Russian head of state since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1891, said Agustin Gutierrez, a spokesman for President Vicente Fox.
Also on the agenda were law-enforcement and financial issues, Mexican officials said.
Fox said last week Mexico hoped it would begin assembling some Russian helicopters and importing a mixed civilian-military factory.
Fox and Putin were expected to sign minor agreements on transferring prisoners, the elimination of double taxes on rent, foreign investment and cultural exchanges.
On military matters, Fox has said possible projects include the installation of a large maintenance center for helicopters as the first step in a plan to assemble the Russian aircraft in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz.
The Mexican president said he also hoped to sign an agreement with Putin for a plant that would assemble heavy machinery for the military industry, saying such a factory would be constructed in Ciudad Sahagun, 50 miles northeast of Mexico City.
Mexico largely spurned Russian military equipment during the Cold War, but has begun to adopt some Russian armaments, which are less expensive than those sold by the United States or most European suppliers.
Mexico's Air Force and Navy operate at least 56 Russian-made transport helicopters, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Putin in First Official Mexico Visit by Russian Leader Created: 07.06.2004 17:37 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 18:00 MSK, 2 hours 2 minutes ago
MosNews
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Mexico Monday in the first official visit of a president to the country since diplomatic relations were established over 100 years ago, Russian media reported.
Putin is expected to hold talks with his counterpart, Vincente Fox. The presidents will sign joint documents and give a press conference, Itar-Tass reported. The visit is expected to last one day.
Fox will likely ask Russia to join a recently formed coalition group supporting Iraq’s democratic and sovereign development that already includes France, Germany, Spain, Chile, and Mexico.
“Mexico and Russia have common approaches to international problems,” Russia’s Pravda daily quoted the Mexican president as saying. “We understand the necessity of building a multi-polar world, share similar views of further developments in Iraq and enjoy joint experiences on this problem.”
“We have much in common. Our economies are based on energy and trade and both countries are winning world markets. The Russian and Mexican governments focus on social development and work to eliminate poverty,” he noted.
Fox pointed to discussions on specific long term projects that he has on the agenda, Pravda reported. “During the first-ever visit to Mexico by a Russian president we are to discuss the construction of a heavy engineering center in the State of Hidalgo for the needs of our military industry, transport and building,” the Mexican leader said during his trip to Hidalgo on Sunday.
On Tuesday, President Putin will continue his foreign tour, which began on Sunday in Normandy, where he attended festivities marking the 60th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy on D-Day — June 6, 1944
Mexico to strengthen military cooperation with Russia
The prize I would think is Mexico. ============================================================= I think you have posted on this before. I found it interesting but hard to believe at the time. Once I found out about the Guatamalean and El Salvadorian gangs that are working their way north into Mexico I no longer have a hard time believing this. The aforementioned gang leaders have been trained at the school of assassins in Fort Benning Georgia and would be loyal to the U.S. I assume. People I have spoken to in southern Mexico say that at the current rate of movement these SOA gangs will have made it to Gaudalajara in less than two years and be in control of everything south of that. I still find it hard to believe that Russia wil get much military might in Mexico. Then again look at Cuba.
What you post about Chinas involvement with Bin laden is interesting and from a military standpoint Chinas interests and Russias interests have a lot in common these days.
Russia is also taking a renewed interest in Cuba which may or may not have something to do with hopes of big oil find off Cuba. #msg-3372127
We have some visitors in our own backyard. I would think Iran’s interests also include Mexico’s oil and gas sector.
-Am
Iran foreign minister visiting Mexico, Cuba
MEXICO CITY, June 28 (AFP) - Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi is due here Monday to meet with Mexican President Vicente Fox and other top officials before heading to Cuba in three days, Mexico's Foreign Relations Ministry said.
Kharazi will hold talks with Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez, Economy Minister Fernando Canales and Mexican diplomats, professors and business leaders, the ministry said.
Mexican and Iranian officials did not disclose the substance of Kharazi's visit.The Mexican foreign ministry said in a statement that the trip marks "a new stage in cooperation and rapprochement between both countries."
The two countries have had diplomatic relations for 40 years.Kharazi, who is traveling from Frankfurt, is due here at 6:10 pm (2310 GMT).
His trip to Cuba on Thursday will last 24 hours, Mexico's foreign ministry said.
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