Posted on 05/15/2006 9:58:42 AM PDT by Spunky
OLYMPIA -- Mexican President Vicente Fox will visit Yakima on May 24 on the first day of his two-day visit to Washington, Gov. Chris Gregoire announced Thursday.
It's been known for more than a week that Fox would visit Seattle to meet with business leaders and members of the Latino community.
Speaking to reporters via conference call from New Zealand, where she is in the middle of a trade mission, Gregoire said she asked Fox to visit Eastern and Western Washington. She received word Wednesday that he would.
"I'm very pleased he accepted that invitation," she said.
It's expected that Fox will spend that Wednesday in Yakima before leaving for Seattle in the late afternoon. A specific itinerary for his Yakima visit hasn't been nailed down but Gregoire said she'd like Fox to visit with farmers and farm workers to see their work firsthand.
"I think it's important for him to see what's going on in Central Washington with respect to agriculture," she said.
It's expected that Mexican immigrants from throughout the region will flock to Yakima to catch a glimpse of Fox.
"Wow, what an opportunity," said West Richland's Tony Bene-gas. "It's going to be a big deal."
Benegas, vice chairman of the state's Republican National Hispanic Assembly, said he has political differences with Fox "but he is still the president of Mexico, goodness gracious. That's a real feather in Christine Gregoire's hat."
Pasco's Gabriel Portugal, vice chairman of the state's Hispanic Affairs Commission, already was planning a trip with others to see Fox in Seattle and said many more now will get a chance to see him.
"That is a great addition to his plans," Portugal said. "We sometimes feel neglected because the big cities like Seattle and Spokane tend to get all the attention. I'm really pleased things are working our way for the eastern side."
"It's an honor to see him," Portugal said.
Fox is scheduled to leave office this year but he'll still wield influence in Mexico, Gregoire said. She hopes to improve relations with Mexico and "this is the foundation for that."
Besides immigration, Gregoire said she'd also like to talk with Fox about drug trafficking and improving the Mexican economy so people don't feel the need to flea to the United States for jobs.
>I am beginning to believe we have already lost our state to Mexico.<
The first thing GWB did after being re-elected was to fly to a conflab in Mexico. The next thing he did was to fly to a conflab in Canada. Since then the borders have been nonexistent North and South. Regional government has been in the plan for many decades. We are just beginning to see the visible evidence that it has become a reality. No borders, no states, no souvernity, just regions. Easier for the New World Order to exercise control that way! And as I asked in another thread, why has our illegal governor extended a gracious invitation to the leader of one of the most corrupt countries in the world if not to take one on one lessons? Ouch! :o(
LMAO! Good catch!
Must be coming to visit his agri-pals working the area...
And give the latest marching orders.
Why this guy is allowed to talk to anyone besides other politicos is beyond me. I hate the Latin political operating procedures that our president seems unable to protect us from.
There needs to be a FREEP of that Visit.
I here she's serving "fauxgoire".
Deport him..
There is something very wrong with this picture.
>I here she's serving "fauxgoire".
LOL! Now that's a good one. :o)
The signs should read: TAKE YOUR PEOPLE HOME.
I sure hope the people in WA are ready to sing the Mexican national anthem in Spanish!
I managed to pun fois grois but spelled "hear" wrong. How sad is that, LOL!
From what I have read, Fox will be visiting Microsolf, Boeing and the other company that President Hu visited a couple of weeks ago. So if you are in Washington State, keep us informed.
By the way, Fox is bypassing Bush on this visit.
Advance trip to scope out future annex to Mexicao.
GO HOME AND TAKE YOUR PEOPLE WITH YOU!
Maybe Fox will jump the border and run with Gregoire for something or other.... If it is not guaranteed he'll win this coming election.
Fox can't run again. Mexican presidents are limited to one 6-year term. His party's nominee is trailing though in the polls. I could see Fox jumping the border and doing something up here. Maybe Bush could appoint him as our Ambassador to Mexico...couldn't be any worse than our current Ambassador...a cretin who is married to the wealthiest woman in Mexico...i.e. our current Ambassador (appointed by Bush) owes his allegiance to Mexico.
"Wrong" doesn't even begin to cover it..
Amazing isnt it?
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