Speech #990083049

It requires no great analytic skill to discern that each of these cutoffs would directly damage American interests. They would also. of course. damage the Mexican economy. But even that represents indirect damage to American interests. for the Mexican Governments ability to repay some $30 to $40 billion in bank loans to the United States and its ability to stem the tide of economic refugees into the United States are dependent upon improved strength in the Mexican economy. No one in this body would deal lightly with the issue of Soviet porting privileges in Mexico. And no one in this body should deal lightly with the overall importance of Mexico to the United States.