The Mexican-U.S. Partnership: Enhancing Our Common Security

Agenda

The Polaris Suite
The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.

December 2, 2005

The one-day workshop will focus on key security dimensions of the Mexican-U.S. relationship. These encompass priority areas for bilateral security cooperation and needed capabilities and options as well as possibilities and limitations at the institutional and political levels. Speakers will address key issues and programs together with areas for additional attention. Lessons learned, capability gaps, and promising options to enhance the security of Mexico and the United States will be highlighted. Each session will consist of presentations by Mexican and U.S. speakers followed by discussion. In addition, the Workshop will include an opening scene setter and a luncheon address.

 

8:00 – 9:00 AM — Registration

9:00 – 9:15 AM — Welcoming Remarks and Introduction
Dr. Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr., President, Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of International Security Studies, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
Ambassador Eduardo Ibarrola, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Mexico in the United States of America

 

9:15 – 9:45 AM - Opening Address
Mexican-U.S. Homeland Security/Defense Cooperation: An Overview of Priority Issues
Oscar Rocha, Deputy Director, International Affairs, Center for Research and National Security (CISEN), Government of Mexico
Introduction by Dr. Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr.

 

9:45 – 11:00 AM — Morning Session Presentations
Key Dimensions of the U.S.-Mexican Security Relationship

 

This session focuses on border security. U.S.-Mexican initiatives/programs that highlight the border as the focal point for bilateral security cooperation will be reviewed. There will be discussion of terrorism including regional threat scenarios, and the planning for and humanitarian response to possible terrorist incidents (e.g., involving weapons of mass destruction) or natural disasters such as hurricanes that could extend beyond the geographical boundaries of each nation.

 

Moderator: Dr. Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr.

Speakers:
John (Jay) Cope, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for National Security Studies, National Defense University
Suzanne Petrie, Director for Latin America, Office of International Affairs, Department of Homeland Security

 

11:00 – 11:15 AM — Break

11:15 – Noon — Discussion

 

Noon – 1:00 PM — Luncheon and Address
Luncheon Address
Rogelio Pardo-Maurer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Western Hemisphere Affairs, International Security Affairs
Introduction by Dr. Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr.

 

1:15 – 2:30 PM — Afternoon Session Presentations
Prioritizing Initiatives and Responses to enhance Mexican-U.S. Common Security

 

The second session will examine capabilities and institutional mechanisms needed to address issues discussed in the morning session including joint initiatives to make possible the secure flow of people and goods across borders; options to address terrorist threats; and U.S.-Mexican consequence management/contingency planning and response capabilities. It will also consider options for expanding bilateral mechanisms such as the Security and Prosperity framework established at the March 2005 Trilateral Summit, the U.S.-Mexican Binational Commission, and a possible role in NORAD.

 

Moderator: Dr. Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr.

Speakers:
Lt. Colonel Kenneth L. Deal, Jr., USA, Branch Chief, International Counterproliferation Program, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Colonel Lenwood "Pete" Landrum, USA, Chief of Staff, Joint Task Force Civil Support, U.S. Northern Command
Oscar Rocha, Deputy Director, International Affairs, Center for Research and National Security (CISEN), Government of Mexico

 

2:30 – 3:15 PM — Discussion

 

3:15 – 3:30 PM — Concluding Remarks
Optimizing Mexican-U.S. Security Collaboration: The Way Ahead
Dr. Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr. and Ambassador Eduardo Ibarrola