Un Nuevo Mexico
World Leaders Arrive in Mexico for Inauguration of New Government
Fidel Castro, Billy Gates, Madeleine Albright and community leaders from Aztlan among many to attend
by
Hector Carreon
La Voz de Aztlan
November 30, 2000
Tenochtitlan - November 30, 2000 - - (ACN) The Mexico City airport and the Hotel Presidente have been converted into virtual fortresses in order to receive and welcome the distinguished visitors from around the world who are here to witness the inauguration tomorrow of the new government of Vicente Fox.
The "Cámara de Diputados", the "Palacio Nacional" and the "Auditorio Nacional" are now ready for the ceremonies that will install the new government of the Partido Accion Nacional(PAN) and launch a new era for the Republic of Mexico. Vicente Fox Quesada and the PAN defeated the Partido Revolucionario Institucional(PRI) on July 2 and ended the PRI's political control of Mexico that lasted for 72 years.
Outgoing Secretary of Foreign Relations Rosario Green confirmed the attendance of Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz, President of Cuba. "When Fidel Castro arrives, I will be at the stairs of the airplane to welcome him." said Foreign Secretary Green. Extraordinary measures have been taken by the government of Mexico to assure the safety of the Cuban President. The United States will be represented by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
In addition to the heads of state, other dignitaries attending will be representatives of major world financial institutions and corporations including Billy Gates of Microsoft Corporation. A member of the Inaugural Organizing Committee, Congressman Armando Salinas Torres, stated that the committee has been astounded by the number of dignitaries from around the world attending.
Historical and unprecedented has been the official invitation by the new government of Mexico of community leaders from Aztlan. Over 200 activists from throughout Aztlan will be attending including 50 leaders from Los Angeles, Alta California. "This is the first time we have been invited because in the past the PRI just took us for granted." said Carlos Vargas, President of La Federación de Clubes Jaliscienses. The activists have also been invited to Los Pinos (Mexican White House). Rafael Barajas, President of La Federación de Clubes Zacatecanos del Sur de California said that the invitations demonstrate that President Elect Fox is serious about establishing better relations with its nationals residing in foreign lands. When Vicente Fox was in Los Angeles during his campaign, he promised to establish a high level office on Mexicans living abroad and he has done that already. It looks like President Fox is a man of his word and no ordinary politician.
The leaders of the various Aztlan organizations will attend all the inauguration ceremonies on Friday and on Saturday they will meet with Juan Hernández, whom Vicente Fox has named as Director of the Special Office of Mexican Migrants Living Abroad. On Sunday, the Aztlan leaders will again meet with Vicente Fox at Los Pinos on his first day as President of the Republic of Mexico. One item of discussion will be how to improved the ways by which Mexicans living abroad can more easily cast their votes in elections. Another important topic that may be discussed is ways by which the new Mexican government can participate in the education of millions of children now residng in Aztlan and who are forced to learn in the English language.
Official ceremonies will commence at 9:00 A.M. (Mountain Time) in the Federal Legislative Chambers. At 11:00 A.M. the "Official Transfer of Power Ceremony " will begin. Outgoing President Ernesto Zedillo will turn over "La Banda Presidencial" to Vicente Fox and soon after the new president will give his acceptance speech to the nation and begin his governance for six years. Que Dios Santo Todo Poderoso Bendiga al Presidente!
