Mexican cardinal criticizes fired ambassador for 'back yard' remarks

Published: 2003-11-25

MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- The Mexico City cardinal criticized a Mexican ambassador who was fired after saying the United States treats his country like its "back yard." "All ambassadors have a duty to look for peace and unity. Other countries have defects, but an ambassador must look for the things that unite us," Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera told reporters after Mass Nov. 23. Cardinal Rivera said he was sure Mexico and the United States can build a relationship of equality and respect. "All of us, both Mexicans and Americans, have the same level of dignity," he said. Adolfo Aguilar Zinser, Mexico's ambassador to the United Nations, told a university audience earlier in November that the United States is interested only in a "close relationship of convenience and subordination" with Mexico. On Nov. 17, Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez announced that Aguilar Zinser was being removed from office.

Copyright (c) 2003 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .