Mexican Troops Cross into U.S. for Hurricane Relief

From the Associated Press:

A Mexican army convoy crossed into the United States on Thursday to bring aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

About 45 vehicles carrying 200 or so people were bound for San Antonio, carrying treatment plants, mobile kitchens and supplies to feed the displaced Louisiana victims. It is the first Mexican military unit to operate on U.S. soil since 1846.

The first green tractor-trailers, with Mexican flags attached to the tops of their cabs, crossed the international bridge at Laredo at about 8:15 a.m.

The convoy will be escorted by the U.S. Army and the Texas Department of Public Safety. It was scheduled to leave after the leader of the convoy, Gen. Francisco Ortiz Valadez, greeted the head of the U.S. Army unit in charge of the escort, Brig. Gen. F. Joseph Prasek.