Washington - Today, the Bush Administration requested $500 million for its "Plan Mexico" anti-drug trafficking program as part of what is reported to be a $1.4 billion plan. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, released the following statement:

"With 'Plan Mexico', the devil will be in the details, and to this point, details are scarce. I am eager to see if this is strictly an enforcement plan or if it is a more comprehensive plan that includes the type of economic development that helps cut down the drug trade at its roots. We learned with 'Plan Colombia' that a program focused only on enforcement tactics ultimately may not bring the same success as a broader strategy of enforcement, empowerment and development.

"By announcing a funding request without consulting Congress much on the specifics of their plan, the Bush administration continues a pattern of disengagement from the Congress - a pattern that is not constructive for getting things done. Dropping a $1.4 billion plan on our doorstep without much forewarning makes it harder to build a consensus and to develop sound policy."

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