News Summary for December 4th, 2008

++The Public Security Committee at the Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved a
proposal for a General Law of the National System of Public Security that aims to
transform the country’s police corps. The new law also seeks to create information,
certification and crime prevention centers.

++ Mexico and the United States signed the first cooperation agreement to set the
Mérida Initiative going. This allowed 197 million dollars to be freed up. The funds
will go to equipment and technical transfer and training programs… The first stage
includes 29 support programs in the battle against drug traffickers and organized
crime.

++ Senate speaker Enrique Madero warned that if Coahuila governor Humberto
Moreirainsists on applying capital punishment in his state independently, he could
be impeached and removed from his position as state leader… Madero said no state can
be above Constitutional law.

++ PRD national president Jesús Ortega Martínezsaid that his party is willing to
reach accords in security. However, he warned the party will not accept “a police
state nor a militarized country.”

++ President Felipe Calderón said progress has been made already in the refinery to
be built in 2009… The refinery is set to process 300,000 barrels of petroleum daily…
Calderón said that thanks to the reforms his government has managed to push through
in two years, the country is not without defense when it comes to the international
financial crisis.

++ The casket with the remains of former Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal was taken
to the Spanish Cemetery following a final mass for him at the monastery of the
Visitation of Mary.