| Taken Questions Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC July 6, 2004 Question Taken at Daily Briefing of July 6, 2004 Incident at Funeral of U.S. Marine in MexicoQuestion: Any comment on the armed Mexican soldiers who disrupted the funeral of U.S. Marine Juan Lopez?
Answer: We reiterate to Lance Cpl. Juan Lopez’ family our deepest sympathies for their loss and our profound gratitude for his service to the United States of America.
We have formally protested, here and in Mexico City, the incident that occurred at Lance Cpl. Lopez’ funeral in Mexico July 4, 2003. We have suggested to the Mexican Government that an apology to Lance Cpl. Lopez’ family would be appropriate.
Our Embassy in Mexico City coordinated well in advance with the Mexican Government regarding the funeral and accepted, albeit with disappointment, the Mexican Government’s insistence that Lance Cpl. Lopez’ comrades forego firing the customary salute at his gravesite.
We note that the Color Guard, which is attached to our Embassy in Mexico City, has often carried the same, inoperable, rifles in ceremonies at other locations in Mexico without protest or objection by Mexican authorities.
2004/750
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