Posted by altogringo on November 11, 2000 at 14:25:19:
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While we await a new president, Fox is campaigning in Los Angeles, ;o) ***************************************************** Fox brings his straight talk to L.A. He includes migrants in his plans for Mexico By Leonel Sanchez UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER November 11, 2000 LOS ANGELES -- When Mexico's President-elect Vicente Fox was trying to win votes last summer, he promised Mexicans living in the United States that he would be president for "all Mexicans." He wasn't kidding. The straight-talking incoming president came here Thursday to bring a strong message to his countrymen: He will see to their needs when he takes office Dec. 1. Fox met with an outspoken group of about 60 people who gathered at the Mexican Consulate near downtown Los Angeles Thursday night. They told him what they wanted from him. He told them what he is prepared to give. At the top of Fox's list is an office that would deal specifically with immigrant issues, "so we will remember our obligations daily." Fox's transition team is also developing plans to make it easier for Mexican expatriates to send money home and to start businesses in both countries. "We want to be associated with you. We want to be close to you," Fox told the group. Fox also met with Gov. Gray Davis and spoke at the annual banquet of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Fox's first visit to Los Angeles since his election came as his transition team is making plans to improve Mexico's economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs. During his campaign for the presidency, he said he no longer wanted to see Mexicans forced to leave their country to find work. His plans depend heavily on financial support from Mexicans living in the United States. The estimated $8 billion they send home annually is a major source of the country's income. Mexicans living in the United States are also a potential electoral force. Although they can't vote from abroad yet, Mexican lawmakers are considering legislation that would change the constitution and allow people to vote by absentee ballot. Four million Mexicans and Mexican-Americans live in Los Angeles County alone. Guillermo Roacho, who helped organize the meeting between Fox and immigrant leaders, said Mexicans in the United States have to turn to their leaders in Mexico for help because many don't qualify for services in the United States or are afraid to ask. "This cycle has to stop," he said. Guadalupe Gomez, from Oxnard, said Mexicans here want to have more influence in Mexico's affairs because they contribute so much to its economy. "We want real representation in (Mexico) because of the number of Mexicans living here and the money Mexicans send home," he said. At the same time, Gomez urged Fox to maintain good relations with the United States. "Migrants need to be integrated into the political, economic, social and cultural life of Mexico and the United States," he said. The coalition of Mexican organizations presented Fox with a list of demands during the conference. They asked for: Representation in Mexico's Congress. Help with their education and health care. A reduction in the fees charged by the companies that transmit money to Mexico. Funding from the Mexican government for projects undertaken in Mexico by Mexican organizations in the United States. Fox, 58, who defeated the long-ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, in July, asked his countrymen to think of themselves as a unit, regardless of the border that divides them. "We're creating a team of 118 million Mexicans. One hundred million in Mexico and you who are here," he said in his baritone voice. His message scored well with young and old Mexicans invited to the event. "We have to help him," said Pedro Quiñonez, 74, who has lived in the United States for half a century. "He can't do it alone." Lizbeth Velez, 37, who went to Tijuana during the elections to vote for Fox, said she admires what he's trying to do. "He's trying to change Mexico after 70 years of PRI rule." |
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