The communications intercept system will enable the Federal Investigations Agency to pick up all cellphone calls, emails and Instant Messaging conversations going on in the country. Ostensibly, the ability to monitor phone calls will help the ever-vigilant Mexican government to battle narco-traffickers in the country.

Sure it will. Because corruption has never been a problem in this country.

The State Department's award asked Verint Technology to have the ability to slip into phone conversations from the communications monopolies, including: TelMex, TelCel and Prodigy. For the upstarts, don't worry, you're included too NexTel.

It also requires cellular phone location and tracking for every mode of communication, including, "TDMA, GSM, CDMA, iDEN, AMPS, PCS, landline, FAX, Email, chat, internet, SMS and VoIP," according to the Federal Business Opportunity Amendment filed in 2006.

Phone records will be kept for up to 25,000 hours, or, a little under three years.

Terrorism, that magical budget-boosting keyword, was cited as one reason for the country-wide wiretap:

"Proposals shall define the AFI telecommunications intercept system and detail terms of delivery and support. The successful solution will fulfill the following: a) Help deter, prevent, and mitigate acts of major federal crimes in Mexico that include narcotics trafficking and terrorism. b) Strengthen the USG’s and Mexico’s protective posture to disseminate timely and accurate, actionable information to each country’s respective federal, state, local, private, and international partners," the amendment states.

This is so problematic on so many levels.

President Felipe Calderon has taken a heavy-handed approach against the narco-traffickers to unforeseen levels in this country with an increase in troops. That in itself has led many to worry that the presidential office is taking on too much power.

But my real concern is State.

This is the ambassador arm of the U.S. government, it's mantra is "spreading democracy" throughout the world but now it's doing just the opposite in Mexico.

Granted, and let's be clear about this, wiretapping of phones has always been common practice in Mexico.

There have been accusations made against the Bours Administration of using an espionage center in Sonora to track phone conversations and emails and the old PRI party was notorious for doing so.

But in this case, the State Department is openly helping the Mexicans wiretap their citizenry. This is the federal government arm that is supposed to be promoting open government, documenting attacks on journalists, and prodding for democratic actions.

Who in the world at the State Department thinks this is a good idea?

For specifics on the award, you can read the Amendment filed with the Federal Business Opportunity last year, here: FedBizOpp Amendment.doc