U.S. agents to embed with Mexico drug units

Nothing like a Crisis.

U.S. agents to embed with Mexico drug units
White House views cartel violence as a direct threat to American security
By William Booth

U.S. agents have been wary of operating inside Mexican command centers for fear they would be targeted for execution in the sensational violence and lawlessness in Ciudad Juarez that left more than 2,600 people dead last year.

But those attitudes are changing amid strong support from Washington for President Felipe Calderón's war against the cartels, including a $1.4 billion aid package.

The Obama administration views spiking drug violence in Mexico as a direct threat to U.S. security and has taken unprecedented steps toward on-the-ground cooperation with Mexican authorities. It is seeking an additional $310 million for drug enforcement aid for Mexico in its 2011 budget.

'A crisis situation'
Under the new arrangement, U.S. law enforcement officers, most likely from an agency such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, would work alongside recent graduates of the new Mexican federal police academy who were trained by FBI and DEA advisers as part of the U.S. aid package.

In another departure from past practice, vetted federal police agents from Mexico might gain greater access to drug intelligence centers in the United States.

"The idea is to take our full technological and human capabilities and put them at the service of a willing partner to address what is a crisis situation," said a senior U.S. official in Mexico who spoke on the condition of anonymity because a bilateral meeting on the arrangement -- which does not require congressional approval -- is scheduled this week.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35556681/ns/world_news-washington_post/

they love that word embedding..maybe they are just making sure their stash gets through?