Texas Causes Row With Execution of Mexican National

Texas today was accused of putting Americans abroad at risk for defying the International Court of Justice and the government of Mexico to carry out the execution of a Mexican national.

Jos? Medell?n was put to death by lethal injection last night at a prison north of Houston. His lawyers said the execution breached America's treaty obligations which give foreign nationals such as Medell?n the right to talk with consular officials.

"With this action, our nation has broken a commitment willingly made by our president and our Senate when we agreed to this treaty," said Donald Francis Donovan.

"We must now hope that other nations stand stronger in their promises than we do, lest our own citizens be placed at risk elsewhere."

The Mexican government had filed a letter of protest about the case, and the ICJ had demanded a judicial review for Medell?n. President George Bush had also asked Texas to review the case, but was overruled by the US supreme court.

Lawyers for Medell?n then sought a last-minute delay in his execution date, hoping to give Congress time to enact legislation that would bring America into line with an international treaty giving foreign citizens accused of crimes the right to consult consular officials.

The Texas authorities and the US supreme court both rejected the appeals.

Medell?n was the first of 51 Mexican citizens on death row, who were similarly denied access to their diplomats.

After spending virtually all of his adult life in prison, Medell?n, 33, used his final moments to apologize to the parents of the two teenage girls who were the victims of the 1993 killings. The parents watched his execution.

"I'm sorry my actions caused you pain," Medell?n told them. "I hope this brings you the closure that you seek. Never harbor hate."