October 29, 2002 [LINK]

APEC summit in Mexico

Leaders of the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum met at Los Cabos, Mexico over the weekend. President Fox made it plain to President Bush that Mexico is displeased over U.S. inattention to its southern neighbor over the past year. In particular, Mexicans resent the lack of any action by the U.S. to extend preferential immigration treatment to Mexican workers. Aside from the obvious importance to the U.S. in terms of the long common border, Mexico is one of the rotating members of the U.N. Security Council this year and next year, and its foreign ministry is not going to let itself be taken for granted when crucial decisions over the war on terrorism come up for a vote. Mr. Bush had better do more than offer back slaps and friendly phrases in Spanish if he expects serious cooperation from Mexico. (WP)