Our policy ought to be to encourage Mexico to emulate more of the unique nature of Amnerica.
Fat chance.
Posted on 03/22/2002 8:35:22 PM PST by mykdsmom
MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) -- Standing side by side with Mexican President Vicente Fox, President Bush sought Friday to strengthen ties with a neighbor that has felt neglected in the United States' post-Sept. 11 focus on terrorism.
Bush saluted Mexico's battle against drug kingpins and said he is determined to work out an immigration agreement that gives special treatment to Mexicans in the United States.
"Mexico is different from other countries, not only because of our proximity, but because of our special relationship," Bush said at a joint news conference closing his talks with Fox at Monterrey's Governmental Palace.
The Mexican government is seeking amnesty for some 3 million Mexicans living and working in the United States illegally. The Bush administration is aiming to craft a more limited "guest worker"-type program and a system making it easier for undocumented immigrants from Mexico to apply for legal status.
Bush said he seeks a policy that recognizes "the unique nature of the Mexican in our country ... and that we do have a special relationship between our countries, not only defined by NAFTA, but defined by cultural and historic ties."
Fox, in a low-key statement, did not mention the ongoing staff-level talks on migration reforms. Instead, the Mexican president spoke of joining forces with Bush to try to attract business investment into the poorest communities of Mexico that have the highest migratory rates.
"The specific purpose is to generate opportunities for advancement, opportunities for income," for Mexicans at home, Fox said.
Over dinner at Monterrey's museum of modern art, Fox was more warmly effusive and toasted the United States' resilience after the Sept. 11 attacks.
"The attacks tore down the twin towers, but they were not able to make a dent in the spirit of the United States," Fox said.
On immigration issues, Fox said that he and Bush "have found an honest language which is also affectionate and respectful."
The two presidents spoke at the news conference after a U.N. conference on global poverty.
In response to a question, Bush defended his refusal to release a scheduled $34 million U.S. contribution to the U.N. Population Fund, which conducts family planning, HIV prevention and maternal health programs internationally. Conservative opponents of the fund contend that its programs in China are involved in forced abortions -- a contention its supporters hotly dispute.
"I said we're not going to use taxpayers' money to fund abortion and I"m going to make sure we're not using taxpayers' money to fund abortion," Bush said.
Told of Bush's comment, the organization's information officer, Abubakar Dungus, said the fund, "by policy, is prohibited from promoting or supporting abortion."
This was a return presidential visit for Bush who, after his inauguration last year, made Mexico his first international visit and declared the Western Hemisphere his top foreign-policy priority.
But the unusually close ties between the Bush and Fox administrations seemed to fade after the Sept. 11 attacks. Mexico was somewhat hesitant at first to fully back Washington's war on terrorism, partly because of its policy of non-intervention. Mexico's hopes for changes in U.S. immigration laws to allow more Mexicans to legally work and live in the United States were put on hold as the White House and Congress turned their focus to counterterrorism and border security.
On other topics that Bush addressed in the palace's open-air patio of pink stone:
--He continued to hold out the hope that Vice President Dick Cheney would meet with Yasser Arafat "if and when" the Palestinian leader cracks down on terrorist attacks against Israel.
Bush said a meeting "could happen," but said it was up to Arafat to comply with conditions outlined by Secretary of State Colin Powell and Mideast envoy Anthony Zinni.
The escalation of violence in the Middle East has complicated Bush's efforts to build a coalition against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, whom Bush views as a threat to the United States.
--Bush declined to say how he will deal with Saddam but said any U.S. action would be deliberate and well-planned. "We'll deal with Saddam Hussein and he knows that," Bush said.
--Bush denounced Cuban President Fidel Castro and dismissed suggestions that the communist leader was pressured by the United States to leave the international meeting before his arrival.
The president said there was "no pressure on anybody. Fidel Castro can do what he wants to do. What I'm worried about is how he treats his people," he said.
Bush, who continues on to Peru on Saturday, said the United States has not decided whether it will resume drug surveillance flights over Peru, suspended since a plane carrying American missionaries' plane was mistakenly shot down last year after a CIA-hired crew identified it as a possible drug flight.
"We're analyzing not only what took place in the past, but the most effective way help Peru fight narcotics," he said.
It took Clinton 8 years to sell off our technology to our overseas enemies. It looks like it's Jorge's job to sell us out closer to home, and he'll accomplish that in record time.
I think it's time to start planning impeachment.
Pretty serious charge there Cubbie.
Our policy ought to be to encourage Mexico to emulate more of the unique nature of Amnerica.
Fat chance.
Pretty serious sellout. Some of us believe in our sovereignty, and we're not giving it up to Mexico or Jorge's NWO.
President Bush is a bought and paid for politician, just like everyone else in office. His vision of the future, is not like ours. WE Citizens want a sovereign nation, that is safe for every one of us to live in. We don't want massive illegal immigration, we don't want our nation given away to foreign enemies. Government's vision, of the future is of a one world order, with everyone marking time. That is NOT a future at all. That is the end of the United States.
Aprenda Espanol hoy, evite la prisa.
Bush said he seeks a policy that recognizes "the unique nature of the Mexican in our country ... and that we do have a special relationship between our countries, not only defined by NAFTA, but defined by cultural and historic ties."
What Cultural Ties? Furthermore, you want to break the law, Bush, help destroy the American worker, etc.? Bush is WRONG for America.
You got it. When a President of the United States aids and abets a large-scale invasion of America by a foreign country that person is unfit for the office of presidency. Not only won’t Bush protect our borders to halt this invasion; he openly encourages more illegal immigration and refuses to enforce our federal immigration laws.
Bush has made himself crystal clear about his lack of regard for America’s sovereignty and by all appearances is not going to change despite a massive uproar of disapproval from the vast majority of Americans. These are certain grounds for impeachment. The sooner we get this guy out of office the less damage he will do to our sovereignty. Let the proceedings begin ASAP.
Well if you are that serious I would assume you are going to make a citizens arrest of "Jorge" and charge him with treason. If you don't then by your inaction you are equally guilty of "treason". Somehow I think your rhetoric is bigger than your “patriotism”.
I suggest you acquaint yourself with the Constitution. It's a marvelous document.
Dear Presidente Jorge
The most effective way "help Peru 'fight narcotics,'" is to be found in the repeal of
Prohibition, the only "drug crime"
I guarantee that once the consequences of repeal take effect, there will never be another "drug problem!
And you, El Presidente, will then be FReed to begin to take care of America's real concerns:
BORDERS!
LANGUAGE!
CULTURE!
Best ones, El Presidente
Brian
I guess you mean '04, not 94...I don't know if any national candidate is going to have the guts to strongly oppose immigration. The last one who did, Buchanan, was vilified in the press, and on this forum, as a racist. That is the unfortunate fact. I think that a targeting strategy may be the best bet. Don't concentrate on the Presidential level, but focus on the loose border types at the House and Senate level. Send a message by voting for the Libertarian candidate. Yes, I know that they may not win -- but it will assure that the RINOs will lose . Yes, I know that this may cause the Dems to gain seats, but honestly, I sometimes feel that that will be the faster way to an honest electoral upheaval, which is badly needed . The only way to change what is happening is to plan for the destruction of one of the political parties. It makes no difference to me whether it is the Republicrats or the Demolicans. Don't forget -- the Whigs thought they were indestructible too.
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