FELIPE CALDERON'S VISIT: FOLLOW THROUGH ON PROMISES

At least Mexico President Felipe Calderon came, saw and lent his ears to
harsh criticism of his government levied by drug-war embattled Juarenses.

After more than 4,500 mob-style assassinations in two years, the masses in
this city of 1.3 million people at least got some of the "fear for their
lives" assuaged -- a tad -- when the first-term president toured a major
massacre site and then unveiled some changes in drug-war strategy.

The large number of military troops will remain. But new to the fight,
Calderon said, would be: federal money for improved education and health,
better technology for police, improved daily law-enforcement operations and
a revision of the criminal code.

He said a better eye will be kept on infiltration and corruption in the
military and federal police.

Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz has already fired several hundred city
police officers and put many hundreds of newly trained officers onto the force.

It may seem on the surface that the education endeavor will take many years
before results are seen. However, El Paso Mayor John Cook made a strong
point. After attending Calderon's speech, Cook noted that if children are
in school, not on the streets, they will be less likely to be recruited by
the drug cartels. Many thousands do not attend schools in Juarez these days.

As reported earlier this month, teenagers and young men, for about $40 a
week, carry out kidnappings and murders, or in the least act as lookouts.

Cook also pointed out what has been obvious all along. "You are fighting
100 years of corruption that was turned a blind eye to in Juarez. The
criminal element was tolerated. It is hard for the citizens to just turn
around and trust the police and the government and the army because it's
failed them before."

Bottom line: Calderon stepped on Juarez soil, heard the wails and made some
promises.

Now it's up to Calderon and Mexico's government to gain back trust so
citizens feel they can join government endeavors to beat the ongoing rulers
of the country, the drug kingpins.