Grupo Salinas and Fundacion Azteca America Co-Sponsor Forum on Public Security With the Center for Latin American Studies and the Americas Initiative at Georgetown University

WASHINGTON, March 26 /PRNewswire/ — Grupo Salinas and Fundacion Azteca
America are pleased to co-sponsor with the Center for Latin American Studies
and the Americas Initiative at Georgetown University a special forum entitled:
“Law, Justice, and Public Security: Challenges for Mexico and Its Neighbors.”
The event, organized with support from Georgetown’s Government Department, the
Georgetown Institute of Global History, the Mortara Center for International
Affairs, and the Center for Peace and Security Studies brings together top
policy experts from both sides of the border.

Following welcoming remarks by Prof. Erick Langer, Interim Director,
Center for Latin American Studies; Dr. Chester Gillis, Dean, College of Arts
and Sciences and Dr. Carol Lancaster, Interim Dean, School of Foreign Service,
Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela
gave the first keynote address, entitled “New Directions for US Security
Policy in the Western Hemisphere.”

For a historical perspective, the first panel presentation was entitled
“Law, Justice, and Crime before the Contemporary Challenges,” moderated by

Katherine Bliss, CSIS and Georgetown University. Participants included: Prof.

Brian Owensby, University of Virginia; Prof. John Tutino, Georgetown and Prof.

Pablo Piccato, Columbia University.

The following panel presentation was entitled “Public Insecurity and Daily
Life in Mexico,” moderated by Daniel Sabet, Georgetown University.
Participants included: Dr. Arturo Arango, Instituto Estatal de Seguridad
Publica del Estado de Nuevo Leon; Prof. Marcelo Bergman, CIDE, Woodrow Wilson
Center and Ana Franco, President, Mexico Unido Contra la Delincuencia.

The next panel presentation was “Threats Posed by Drug-trafficking
Organizations,” moderated by Margaret Daly Hayes, Georgetown University, with

Juan Carlos Garzon, OAS as a discussant. Participants included Jose Diaz
Briseno, Washington Correspondent, Reforma daily newspaper and Dr. Samuel
Gonzalez Ruiz, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.

The following panel presentation was entitled “Prospects for State Reforms
to Promote Rule of Law,” moderated by Marc Chernick, Georgetown University,
with discussant Dr. Andrew Selee, Woodrow Wilson Center. Participants were:
Prof. David Shirk, University of San Diego and Prof. John Bailey, Georgetown
University.

The final keynote address was presented by Mexican Ambassador to the
United States Arturo Sarukhan, entitled “Beyond Merida: Next Steps in Mexico-
US Relations.”

“We need much more of this type of open binational debate on security
policy, because it is one of the most crucial issues facing our communities
today in both Mexico and the United States,” said Luis J. Echarte, Chairman of
Fundacion Azteca America and Azteca America Network. “Congratulations go out
to the hosts and organizers of this magnificent event.”

“The problem of public security, which has risen in significance in Mexico
and in the bilateral relationship with Mexico, presents a series of challenges
to the academic communities in both countries. One problem is accurate
information. What are the ‘real’ trends in criminality? We struggle to get
good data. The related problem is: what works to reduce criminality? We don’t
have clear ‘recipes,’” said Prof. John Bailey, Director of the Mexico Project
at the Center for Latin American Studies. “For these reasons Georgetown
University, as part of its program in public security and justice reform, has
invited distinguished scholars and civil society leaders, to advance our
knowledge and capacity to provide policy advice. We want to thank the
leadership and commitment of Grupo Salinas in helping to advance this goal.”

The forum is part of a series of conferences addressing Latino issues.
Grupo Salinas and Fundacion Azteca America will also be co-sponsoring with
Georgetown an upcoming event on April 29 focused on immigration that will
include opening remarks by Grupo Salinas Founder and Chairman Ricardo B.
Salinas Pliego.

About Fundacion Azteca America

Fundacion Azteca America is a non-profit organization dedicated to
improving the quality of life for members of the Hispanic community currently
in the U.S. Fundacion Azteca America, Fundacion Azteca, Azteca America and TV
Azteca are companies of Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas. For more
information, visit www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org.

About Azteca America

Azteca America is the alternative choice in broadcast television for
Spanish speaking families residing in the United States. As the fastest-
growing Spanish-language network, Azteca America operates in 66 markets
nationwide. Azteca America can also be seen on DIRECTV Mas Channel 441 (AZA
441) and DISH Network Channel 825. Wholly owned by Mexican broadcaster TV
Azteca, S.A. de C.V., Azteca America has access to the best programming from
TV Azteca’s three national networks, including a library with over 200,000
hours of original programming and news from local bureaus in 32 Mexican
states. The network complements Mexican programming with an innovative line-up
of shows from international producers and distributors to ensure the finest
programming for Spanish-speaking viewers and unique advertising solutions for
partners seeking to reach the most dynamic market in the country.

About Grupo Salinas

Grupo Salinas (www.gruposalinas.com) is a group of dynamic, fast-growing
and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value,
contributing to building the middle class of the countries where it operates,
and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur

Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a
management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member
companies TV Azteca (www.irtvazteca.com), Azteca America (www.aztecaamerica.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca
(www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros
Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx), and Grupo Iusacell (www.iusacell.com).
Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently with its own
management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity
holdings. However, member companies share a common vision, values and
strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class
performance.

    Grupo Salinas Media Contact:
    Daniel McCosh
    011 52 55 1720 0059
    dmccosh@gruposalinas.com

SOURCE Grupo Salinas; Fundacion Azteca America; Georgetown University;
Center for Latin American Studies

SOURCE Grupo Salinas; Fundacion Azteca America; Georgetown University; Center

for Latin American Studies