Mexico's Calderon urges U.S. to curb illegal drug demand

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mexican President Felipe Calderon today told Congress that the fight against narcotics traffickers along the border can only succeed if the United States reduces its demand for illegal drugs.

In the first address to Congress by a foreign national leader this year, Calderon delivered a message that the two countries must cooperate to improve security along the often-violent border and to control the flow of immigrants into the U.S.

He says the United States also must stop the flow of assault weapons and other arms into Mexico.

The Mexican leader found an ally at the White House. President Barack Obama is pressing lawmakers to take up legislation that would deal with border security, employment and citizenship.

He faces a harder sell in Congress, where many are leery of taking up the sensitive issue of immigration in an election year.