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La Voz de Aztlan
Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico
February 16, 2001
Historic Fox - Bush Summit Begins New Era for the Americas
by Hector Carreon
(ACN) The historic summit at Rancho San Cristobal turned a new page in the U.S./Mexico bilateral relationship and has set the stage for a new era for the Western Hemisphere. This was the inescapable conclusion reached at the moment that the impressive Air Force One touched down at the Aeropuerto Internacional de Bahio in Guanajuato, Mexico on Friday morning. Not since the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo in 1848 has a meeting between the two countries set the pattern of future discourse for decades to come. The Guanajuato Proposal, agreed upon at the summit, has concretize a new relationship based on friendship, mutual trust and respect. This "new relationship" forged by Presidents Vicente Fox Quezada and George W. Bush will not only establish mutual prosperity for both countries but also mutual prosperity for the two Americas as well.
The decision by President Bush to hold his first international meeting in Mexico has ended the long held Eurocentric outlook of the U.S. government and signals the beginning of a focus on the problems of the Americas. This decision has discomforted and astonished countries in Europe that have been the primary beneficiaries of U.S. foreign policies. With the Guanajuato Proposal, Mexico and the United States will now focus on resolving mutual pressing problems. This new focus will guarantee mutual economic and social progress. These problems are related to the migration of workers to the United States, drug trafficking and its associated institutional corruption, and the development and sharing of Western Hemispheric energy resources to improve commerce and combat poverty.
The summit meeting at Rancho San Cristobal took place in an atmosphere of extraordinary friendship and trust between the two presidents that began with a warm reception at the airport. The reception included the Mexican Presidential Honor Guard and hundreds of school children cheering and waving Mexican and American flags. President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell, National Security Advisor Condolezza Rice and other U.S. government officials were greeted by President Vicente Fox, the president's young son Vicente Fox de la Concha, Secretary of Foreign Relations Jorge Castaneda, Interior Secretary Santiago Creel, Press Secretary Martha Sahagun and other Mexican government officials. After playing the national anthems of both countries, the presidential entourage left the airport towards Rancho San Cristobal.
First stop for President Bush was the home of the 80 year old Mexican president's mother Mercedes Quezada de Fox. President Bush warmly kissed Mrs. Quezada de Fox on the forehead.
He was then introduced to the entire Fox family. President Bush commented "You have made me feel part of the family." President Fox then toured President Bush around his ranch and showed him his favorite horse named "El Rey." Both were behaving like good old friends and demonstrated that they have a lot in common. President Bush stated publicly in Spanish "Yo le tengo confianza al Presidente, lo puedo mirar a los ojos y saber que es directo y sincero" which translates approximately to "I have a lot of trust and confidence in President Fox, I can look directly into his eyes and know that he is direct and sincere."
After the introductions of the Fox family and tour of the ranch, Presidents Fox and Bush held a private discussion in his study for about 45 minutes. Soon after, both countries' delegations settled in for a close door working meeting that lasted a little over an hour. On the U.S. side was President Bush, Colin Powell, Condolezza Rice, Pete Romero, Jeffrey Davidow and Ari Fleicher. On the Mexican side was President Fox, Carlos Castaneda, Santiago Creel, Adolfo Zinser, Eduardo Sojo, Juan Bremer and Martha Sahagun. A significant outcome of this session was the drafting of the Guanajauto Proposal which calls for the creation of a "high level" bilateral committee within 15 days to resolve the worker migratory issue. The high level bilateral committee will be headed by Secretary of Foreign Relations Jorge Castaneda and Secretary of the Interior Santiago Creel on the Mexican side and Secretary of State Colin Powell and Attorney General John Aschroft on the U.S. side. The committee will resolve human rights for migrant workers, general amnesty, guest worker programs, and working conditions for migratory workers from Mexico.
Other topics that were addressed at the summit was the power/energy crisis facing certain regions of the Americas and specifically in the U.S. State of California. Mexico's PEMEX is presently being restructured to accommodate energy reform. The United States wants to free itself from its dependence on oil from the volatile middle east region. The situation in Iraq, Palestine, and Islam in general does not look good for the United States and President Bush wants a closer and friendlier sources for oil. The building of electric generating plants in Baja California was mentioned in order to sell surplus electricity to California. This interdependence between the two countries will eventually blur the border region and lead to the authentic open borders that is a goal of President Vicente Fox.
Another important topic that was discussed was the illicit drugs crossing the border and the immense corruption it has caused on both sides. Drugs have also created huge social and health problems due to their consumption. Addiction to drugs in the U.S. is one of the most pressing problems in the country that is taking a toll on young people and families. The U.S. prison system is now extremely overcrowded with drug related offenders and the beginning of serious corruption in law enforcement is now apparent as demonstrated by the LAPD Rampart corruption scandal. Also, an increasing number of U.S. politicians are now connected with convicted drug felons. A recent example is the pardoning of a notorious crack cocaine distributor by ex-president Bill Clinton at the behest of corrupt Democratic Party Los Angeles elected officials who had taken money from the wealthy trafficker's father. Mexico has not been immune to this sort of corruption either. Top government officials of the toppled PRI party are now doing prison time on drug offenses that include receiving money for government protection of drug cartels and money laundering.
The Fox - Bush Summit in Guanajauto, Mexico has promised a new era for the United States, Mexico and the Americas. President Fox is a visionary and a deeply religious and spiritual man. He is the kind of leader that Mexico has needed for a long time. President Bush is a new-born Christian that turned his life around and is now ready for serious work for the benefit of mankind. This Fox - Bush combination could turn out to be a great blessing for both Mexicans and Americans alike. With the help of all good citizens on both sides of the border, President Bush and President Fox can accomplish their worthy goals.
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