Senate Budget Committee Holds Hearing on FY2004 Budget for the State Department

FDCH TRANSCRIPTS
Congressional Hearings
Feb. 11, 2003
Senate Budget Committee Holds Hearing on FY2004 Budget for the State Department

CORNYN:

Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for being here. And I appreciate your longtime exemplary service on behalf of the nation. And I just, particularly at this time, I wanted to say that.

But quickly, I have one question, really that relates to our relationship with Mexico. And as you know, we have a very important relationship based on geography and history and culture. And I was gratified when the president, the first international trip he took after he became president was to see President Fox in Mexico.

CORNYN:

And I'm a firm believer in the need to deepen and improve our relationships, strengthen our relationship with Mexico. I'd like to work with you and your department on that.

But I am very concerned about Mexico's failure to live up to an international treaty that was passed in 1944 governing the distribution of vital water resources, and particularly disturbed by Mexico's most recent failure to abide by an interim agreement which at least promised some hope to south Texas farmers. And that interim agreement called for the delivery of 200,000 acre-feet by the end of January.

Unfortunately, at that time there was no schedule for repayment of the remaining 1.5 million acre-feet, but for those who like to be optimistic and hopeful at least it offered some hope. But now we know Mexico has delivered only 129,000 of that 200,000 acre-feet even under that interim agreement on January the 31st.

And I have to tell you that, particularly folks in the agriculture business in south Texas have been devastated by Mexico's failure to live up to this obligation. It's had a ripple effect in our economy, over $1 billion has been lost over the last 10 years due to the failure to abide by the treaty.

And so some have in their frustration voiced several options that they think the United States ought to consider.
One would be possible sanctions against Mexican agricultural produce grown by the very water that they feel should have been delivered under the treaty but which hasn't been.

Second, possible renegotiation of the Colorado River treaty that actually sends Colorado River water to Mexico.

And third, to just terminate the treaty entirely, just to walk away from it.

And I'd appreciate your thoughts on Mexico's failure to abide by the interim agreement, as well as the negotiations, which I believe are occurring even today in San Diego on this matter.