Argentine president lashes out against border wall

Wed01Aug2007

Argentine president lashes out against border wall

15:12 H | Topics: Argentina - Controversia - Immigration - Latin America - Mexico - Politics

capt.cd8a8acf1de0417b8aaf2af26b04cc40.mexico_argentina_moev101.jpg It seems Latin America has never been as aligned as it is now. Some evidence of this has come in the form of a speech made by Argentine president Nestor Kirchner on a recent trip to Mexico City, in which he condemned the proposed wall between Mexico and the United States. In his speech before the Mexican senate, Kirchner said:

“I want to make it clear to all of you that there in nothing but repudiation of the Argentine people towards the dreadful wall that is being built between our sister nation Mexico, and the United States," said the president, who couldn't finish the sentence because he was interrupted by the applause of legislators.

Though Kirchner was in Mexico to sign a trade agreement with president Felipe Calderon, the Argentine leader took the time, in the context of his condemnation of the border wall, to reflect on the generosity of Mexico towards his country in times of national strife:

“I want to give profound recognition to the people of Mexico and its various governments that were in power when our people were experiencing the horrible dictatorship of 1976. Mexico opened its doors, its hearts, to thousands of intellectuals, students and workers who were committed to the building of just, independent and democratic nations, and who were expelled if not murdered by our own country. We are eternally grateful and we will never forget this gesture."

Kirchner called on those building "the wall of shame" to "rethink and understand that the world has to work by other means: by peace, conciliation, respect towards diversity and respect towards all the nations of the world."

Earlier this year, the European Union also took a stance of condemnation of the border wall.

Via / Pagina 12 (Argentina)

Images via Yahoo! News - Reuters

Virtual Fence on Hold, Physical Fence 400 Million Over Budget (Wednesday, Sep 10 2008)
March to Protest the Border Wall (Monday, Aug 18 2008)

Jennifer

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1. Latitud 32 ~ Thursday, Aug 02 2007 | 13:48H:

he says that because it is towards the U.S.(argentinos LOVE speaking out against "los yankis"), but how would Argentina react if thousands of brown Bolivians were crossing into Argentina? I know they are already receiving many there, but do you really think Argentina would be incapable of doing such a thing to keep them out? Hmmm....I know they have a different history with the military, but I'm still curious.

2. vaquero ~ Tuesday, Aug 28 2007 | 12:48H:

Why must these Latin American Governments export their own citizens? The answer anyone, it is plain as the nose on your face......
......these Latin American Governments are failures, have been failures for many years and they know that if the one way open border and the remittance from their illegal immigration into the successful US and Canada were closed they would be faced with another revolt....it's time for the Latino population to wake up and smell the coffee! Go home and make your own countries successful

3. reyna ~ Saturday, Sep 15 2007 | 22:11H:

I think it is a waist of money to build a wall between the u.s and mexico. mexico isnt the only country coming to america , other counties are coming from all over the world. if they want to build a wall. they should band everyone coming to america then.

VivirLatino