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Introducing her book
"I am my father's daughter"
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| fox and bush: the new honeymoon |
| Written by Maria Elena Salinas |
| Tuesday, January 20 2004 |
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| Monterrey, Mexico -- Just like old neighbors who once claimed to be the best of friends, Vicente Fox and George W. Bush tried to make up for lost time after being estranged for more than two years. During the Summit of the Americas in Monterrey last week, the presidents of Mexico and the United States walked into a room full of journalists, side by side with smiling faces, to present the results of their bilateral meeting. The main topic: immigration reform. The underlying issue: an understanding that they need each other if they are to succeed in their respective agendas.
Bush did not shed any new light on what he had presented the previous week at the White House, except that this time he put more emphasis on the contribution of Mexican undocumented workers in the United States. "These workers are a benefit to our country, and they fill jobs that Americans won't take," said the president, calling them "good, decent, hardworking Mexicans." "While they fulfill their dreams," said Mr. Bush, "they fulfill our nation." However, he did highlight the fact that under his plan, these workers would eventually have to return to their countries of origin to continue fulfilling their dreams and investing in their own economies.
For President Fox, his American counterpart's proposal was heaven-sent. He reminded everyone that the immigration debate began three years ago at his ranch in Guanajuato, when he first proposed that the two countries work on an immigration agreement that would, among other things, lead to the legalization of Mexican nationals in U.S. territory. Mr. Fox, who faces trouble at home because of unfulfilled campaign promises, was able to claim victory. He had vowed to look after the millions of Mexicans who live north of the border.
Bush's proposal is not the result of negotiations between the two countries, but a unilateral move by the U.S. president that, as of now, stands as a symbolic gesture. Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez told me his country is satisfied that there is a proposal. What is yet to be seen is whether it will become law. "We will seek to have a process included in that law in which immigrant workers will be able to have permanent residency if they so desire," Derbez said.
The relationship between Bush and Fox got off to a good start when they took office just seven weeks apart. They seemed to have much in common. Both were successful businessmen and are deeply religious. Both are former governors who belong to conservative parties. Both were ranchers with an affinity for horses and cowboy boots.
On Sept. 5, 2001, Bush declared that there was no relationship more important for the United States than the one it had with Mexico. But six days later, on Sept. 11, that relationship derailed. Mexico stopped being a priority, and the immigration accord was put on the back burner. When Mexico did not support the war in Iraq, it was blacklisted, and Fox could not even get his mejor amigo Mr. Bush to return his phone calls. Now Bush says that you can be friends and disagree, and to prove it he invited Fox and his wife, Martha Sahagun, to his ranch in Texas on March 5 and 6.
What has changed? Well, for one thing, Bush's re-election campaign. Fox's endorsement of his immigration proposal could help him win over Hispanic voters, and Fox's leadership role in Latin America could also help in the region when it comes to issues important to Bush, such as security and free trade.
So now, what direction will the relationship between Fox and Bush take? Is it a clean slate, or do they pick up where they left off? "Neither," says the Mexican foreign minister. "It is the new road taken by two friends who understand that we are evolving as countries and that the world is evolving around us." It's time, he adds, to think how we can work together, hand in hand.
It is a marriage of convenience. And the honeymoon that was cut short could restart on a ranch in Crawford, Texas, on March 5. |
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