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| Alex Wong, AP |
Several top U.S. lawmakers have urged President George W. Bush to pay greater attention to Mexico despite the ongoing war in the Middle East, government news agency Notimex reported Wednesday.
In a letter sent to Bush in Feb. 22, senators from both parties asked him to use ongoing immigration and security talks as examples of the administration's commitment to Latin America.
Once the cornerstone of Bush's foreign policy agenda, the region has taken a backseat lately amid anti-terror efforts around the world.
Bush is to meet with President Vicente Fox Mar. 22 during the UN international Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey.
While recognizing the Sept. 11 terror attacks had vastly shifted U.S. foreign policy, the senators said the trip "presents a unique opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to strengthen Mexico-U.S. ties."
"Mexico continues to be our valuable friend and neighbor and, though faced with the overwhelming need to fight and defeat terrorism, we shouldn't lose site of our economic and social relationship with Mexico."
The senators also praised Fox's stewardship of the nation during his 16 months in office.
The authors of the letter were New Mexico Senators Pete Domenici (Rep.) and Jeff Bingaman (Dem.). The letter was signed by 20 other senators, including Democrats Ted Kennedy and Joe Lieberman, and Republicans Trent Lott and Jesse Helms.