10 Questions For Vicente Fox

  • Mexican President Vicente Fox got some good news on the eve of the Summit of the Americas, which he will host this week in Monterrey, Mexico: President Bush proposed immigration reforms aimed at helping millions of Mexican migrants. Fox talked with TIME's Tim Padgett about the plan, his political fortunes and his amigo George W. Bush.

    The immigration plan was originally your idea from way back. Do you feel vindicated? Yes. It's been a long, three-year haul that started when President Bush and I were still state Governors and we often discussed the topic. What he announced this week is a very interesting and important step forward. But we have to keep working on it.

    Are Bush's proposed reforms insufficient in Mexico's eyes? They are sufficient, although we want to work more with President Bush on the specific needs of Mexico, because there's a difference in this case between Mexico and the other Latin American countries. As neighbors and NAFTA partners, we want to improve visas for Mexicans. And if Canadians don't have to be fingerprinted at U.S. airports, we'd eventually like that same exemption.

    Both Mexico and the U.S. are hemorrhaging jobs to China. Will this be a topic at the summit? Without a doubt. We want to work with President Bush and Canada to confront the challenge of those lost jobs. We have to get more competitive with China and confront this drama of ever lowering wages.

    You're a democratic hero to many for ousting the dictatorial ruling party in 2000, but your government has been struggling. do you find it easier to be an opposition hero than a president? No, I'm determined to be good at both. I was given six years to improve Mexico and I'm going to do it. I'm determined to leave behind a totally competitive Mexican economy for once that generates a much better standard of living and gives people stronger rights.

    When you leave office, will Mexico finally be paying its workers enough so they don't have to flood into the U.S.? My goal is a per capita income of $7,000, compared to $4,000 when I took office, and to reduce extreme poverty by 30%. And we'll do it because we're finally moving away from the attitude in Mexico that the U.S. is to blame for our poverty.

    Since Mexico opposed the Iraq war in the U.N. Security Council, U.S.-Mexico relations seem to have chilled quite a bit. Are you and President Bush amigos again? We never stopped being friends, and as friends we always talk to one another with total frankness. I've always told President Bush, I'll do for you what I can, and what I can't do I'll tell you up front, as I did on Iraq. Our friendship has matured as a result. So the U.S. may not have liked our decision, but I think it was understood.

    Has the U.S., as you said recently, "forgotten" Mexico amid its obsession with terrorism? I understand that not just the U.S. but all democratic countries have to confront terrorism, and that has been America's priority the past two years. Now we also have to get back to bilateral relations. Too many important initiatives have fallen behind—like immigration reform.

    President Bush is viewed by some abroad as an arrogant cowboy. You recently had to fire your U.N. ambassador for saying Bush treats Mexico like his "backyard." What do you and your countrymen really think of Bush? I can't speak for the opinion of Mexicans. My opinion is that he's a good President who's acting according to the extraordinary circumstances he's facing, and with courage. I think he's also taken some bold steps to end this economic recession.

    Who will be wearing the coolest cowboy boots at the Monterrey summit—you or President Bush? Unfortunately, I'll have to concede the prize to him because I recently had back surgery and the doctors say I can't wear my boots until I've fully recovered.

    What's the dish to eat in Monterrey? Cabrito—baby goat. I'm inviting everyone at the summit to eat with me at my favorite Cabrito restaurant.