[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 121 (Tuesday, October 3, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9687-S9688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      THE ELECTION OF VINCENTE FOX

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, on July 2, 2000, the people of Mexico 
elected Vincente Fox, candidate of the National Action Party, to be 
their President. This election represents a dramatic change and a 
historic affirmation of democracy in Mexico. The inauguration of Mr. 
Fox later this year will end 71 years of PRI control of the Mexican 
Presidency.

[[Page S9688]]

  I want to join other Members of congress in expressing my 
congratulations to Mr. Fox and the people of Mexico. I also want to 
commend President Zedillo, whose leadership helped to ensure the freest 
and fairest election in Mexico's history.
  Mr. Fox's election has significance far beyond Mexico's borders. It 
represents an historic opportunity for our two countries to redefine, 
broaden and strengthen our relationship.
  It is a relationship that has been burdened by history, and plagued 
by distrust, arrogance, and misunderstanding. There have been times 
when it seemed that on issues of hemispheric or international 
importance Mexico embraced whatever position was the opposite of the 
United States position, simply because we are the United States. At 
other times, our country has treated Mexico like a second-class cousin 
once or twice removed.
  Problems that can only be solved through cooperation have too often 
been addressed with fences and sanctions, and self-serving assertions 
of sovereignty. It is time for a new approach. There is far too much at 
stake for us to continue down the road of missed opportunities.
  Mexico is our neighbor, our friend, and our strategic partner. We 
share a 2,000-mile border. We have strong economic ties, with a two-way 
annual trade of $174 billion. We have a common interest in combating 
transnational problems, and we have strong cultural bonds, as more than 
20 million people of Mexico descent now live in the United States.
  At present, there are several issues between the two countries that 
deserve immediate attention:
  After more than 6 years, the situation in Chipas remains unresolved. 
Many innocent lives have been lost and thousands of people are 
displaced and living in squalor. Tens of thousands of Mexican troops 
have surrounded the area, which could explode in renewed violence at 
any time. There is an urgent need to demilitarize the area and embark 
on an enlightened, sustained, good faith process to address the 
underlying social, economic, and political issues and resolve this 
conflict peacefully.
  Since the implementation of NAFTA, trade between our countries has 
doubled. While NAFTA has been beneficial for both nations, reports of 
violations of labor and environmental laws must be more effectively 
addressed and outstanding trade disputes must be resolved.
  The Mexican Government has made progress in combating illegal 
narcotics trafficking by undertaking a number of measures, including 
firing more than 1400 federal police officers for corruption, 
cooperating with the FBI last year on an investigation that occurred on 
Mexican soil, and increasing seizures of illegal narcotics. However, 
major problems remain and far more needs to be done to reduce narco-
trafficking and official corruption in Mexico.
  Illegal immigration continues to be a major concern for both 
countries. Although we must be sure that our immigration laws are 
effectively and fairly enforced, a long-term solution can only be 
achieved by improving the quality of life in Mexico where half the 
population--some 50 million people--struggles to survive on $2 per day.
  With thousands of United States and Mexican citizens traveling back 
and forth across the border every day, the spread of HIV/AIDS, TB and 
other infectious diseases is inevitable. These health problems, and 
shared environmental problems, can only be effectively addressed if we 
work together.
  Human rights is another issue of importance to the Mexican people, 
and to Americans. These are universal rights, and it is very disturbing 
to read reports by the State Department and respected human rights 
organizations of widespread torture by Mexican police. It is also 
unacceptable that American citizens, including priests, some of whom 
have lived and worked in Mexico for decades, have been summarily 
deported for as little as being present at a demonstration against 
excessive force by the Mexican Army. Even when the Inter-American Human 
Rights Commission rejected the Mexican Government's arguments in these 
cases, the Mexican Government has refused to change its policy.
  On August 24, 2000, President-elect Fox came to the United States, 
where he met with President Clinton and Vice President Gore. During 
those meetings, Mr. Fox expressed a strong commitment to democracy, 
economic development, and human rights, and to cooperate with the 
United States to combat corruption, illicit drug trafficking, and other 
transnational threats.
  This bodes well for our future relationship. I hope that we would 
soon invite President-elect Fox to address a joint session of Congress. 
This should happen as soon as possible after the 107th convenes in 
January. Congress has had a major role in shaping United States policy 
toward Mexico, and we would all benefit from hearing directly from Mr. 
Fox. It would also give him an opportunity to outline in more detail 
his proposals to address key issues that affect our relations.
  Like many Americans I was very encouraged by Vincente Fox's election, 
and am confident that he will be a strong partner of the United States. 
I look forward to making the most of this opportunity to strengthen the 
United States-Mexico relationship.

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