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Mexican leader focuses on cooperation, not immigrants

President Vicente Fox visits Utah and sidesteps the difficult issue of illegal immigration.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published May 24, 2006

SALT LAKE CITY - Kicking off a three-day, three-state U.S. tour, Mexican President Vicente Fox on Tuesday stressed the need for greater cooperation between his country and the United States on such things as trade, energy and security. Left unmentioned was the hot topic of illegal immigration.

In a lunchtime speech to about 500 business, civic and religious leaders, Fox discussed his accomplishments during his six-year term, which ends this year, and promoted trade opportunities with Utah and the rest of the United States.

Working together, Mexico and the United States can improve the quality of life for citizens in both countries, he said.

"The future of North America must guarantee great competitiveness, greater regional security, greater availability of energy, greater trade exchanges and, naturally, a greater well-being for all of its inhabitants," said Fox, who is also scheduled to visit Washington state and California this week.

He spoke of the steps he has taken to strengthen the Mexican economy and the democratization of his country.

He did not mention immigration, although his visit comes as the U.S. Senate considers legislation to strengthen border security, authorize new guest-worker programs and give an eventual chance at citizenship to most of the estimated 12-million people already living illegally in the United States.

Instead, Fox rattled off statistics indicating that Mexico's economy is growing and is free of corruption, and said the country is interested in doing business with the United States.

"We need to continue to strengthen the economic, educational and cultural ties between ourselves," Fox said. "We fully support the businessmen in Utah and Mexico that are present with us today."

Later, Fox was scheduled to meet with Mexican immigrants at the Utah Cultural Center and then attend a dinner at the governor's mansion.

Utah, like many states, is divided on immigration. While Utah's largest minority population is Hispanic, there also is frustration about the wave of illegal immigrants entering the state.

The Minuteman Project, which opposes illegal immigration, is planning protests at the Capitol, where Fox is scheduled to address a special session of the Legislature today.

"I'd like to see Vicente Fox tell his people to respect the law and come here legally," said Alex Segura, founder of the Utah Minuteman Project.

[Last modified May 24, 2006, 05:23:06]