- Title: MEXICO: Mexico's Calderon names new interior minister
- Date: 11th November 2008
- Summary: (BN12) MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (NOVEMBER 10, 2008) (REUTERS) MEXICAN PRESIDENT ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE GENERAL VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERAMAN NEW MINISTER, FERNANDO FRANCISCO GOMEZ MONT, ACCEPTING NAMING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN PRESIDENT, FELIPE CALDERON, SAYING: "Based on the authorization given to me by the General Constitution of the Republic, I have made the decision to name as new interior minister, Fernando Francisco Gomez Mont, who up until now, had been working as an independent professional lawyer." CAMERAMEN AND PHOTOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN PRESIDENT, FELIPE CALDERON, SAYING: "I have instructed Gomez Mont to strengthen legal and institutional mechanisms by remaining in permanent dialogue with political parties and electoral authorities, to avoid any type of interference from organized crime in the electoral process." CAMERAMAN (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) NEW INTERIOR MINISTER, FERNANDO FRANCISCO GOMEZ MONT, SAYING: "I will follow the guidelines marked by Juan Camilo Mourino fronting the ministry, maintaining dialogue of respect, institution and honesty with the Judicial Power, as well as with the Legislative Power and all its members, whichever their political origin may be and without differences, with the aim of finding convergences that allow Mexico to advance in legislative reforms needed to confront great challenges in terms of security and justice." CAMERAMAN BOTH SAY GOOD-BYE AND LEAVE
- Embargoed: 26th November 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Mexico
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAF0MT2NVDMGL8X84AVQCMXA8GW
- Story Text: Mexico names new interior minister after predecessor was killed in plane crash.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon named a little-known lawyer on Monday (November 10) to be his new interior minister after the previous holder of the job died in a plane crash last week.
The new minister, Fernando Francisco Gomez Mont, is a former federal lawmaker for Calderon's conservative party who the president said would push forward justice and security reforms.
Mexico's interior minister is in charge of domestic security but also works with the country's political parties to push the government's agenda in Congress.
"Based on the authorization given to me by the General Constitution of the Republic, I have made the decision to name as new interior minister, Fernando Francisco Gomez Mont, who up until now, had been working as an independent professional lawyer," said Calderon.
Calderon, speaking in a televised address, also said he had given his new minister specific instructions to work to keep organized crime out of elections.
"I have instructed Gomez Mont to strengthen legal and institutional mechanisms by remaining in permanent dialogue with political parties and electoral authorities, to avoid any type of interference from organized crime in the electoral process."
Mexico will hold midterm elections to Congress next year. Calderon last year warned that powerful drug gangs were trying to intimidate and buy candidates.
"I will follow the guidelines marked by Juan Camilo Mourino fronting the ministry, maintaining dialogue of respect, institution and honesty with the Judicial Power, as well as with the Legislative Power and all its members, whichever their political origin may be and without differences, with the aim of finding convergences that allow Mexico to advance in legislative reforms needed to confront great challenges in terms of security and justice," said Gomez Mont.
Gomez Mont replaces Juan Camilo Mourino, who was killed last week when his small jet smashed into rush-hour traffic in Mexico City. A probe into that crash is underway. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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