Pubdate: Wed, 14 Mar 2007
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2007 The Washington Post Company
Contact:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Peter Baker

CALDERON ADMONISHES BUSH ON THORNY ISSUES

MERIDA, Mexico, March -- Mexican President Felipe Calderon chided 
President Bush on Tuesday for trying to build a wall between their 
two countries and lamented that the American leader never made Mexico 
the priority he once promised it would become during his presidency.

As he welcomed Bush for their first meeting since taking office in 
December, Calderon set a polite but firm tone, raising some of the 
toughest issues in U.S.-Mexican relations. The comments at a ceremony 
for Bush's arrival underscored the difficulties that lie ahead in two 
days of talks between the leaders.

The Post follows President Bush on his 7-day trip through Latin 
America. Hop On Board   The Immigration Debate The Washington Post's 
coverage of the immigration issue, from the politics of revising the 
nation's immigration laws to the impact of illegal immigration on the 
U.S.-Mexico border and the Washington region.

The U.S.-Mexico border is at the forefront of a growing debate over 
U.S. immigration and border security reform.

Among the top issues was U.S. legislation, signed by Bush last year, 
authorizing 700 miles of fencing and other barriers along the 
U.S.-Mexico border. Mexicans respect Americans' right to decide their 
security, Calderon said. "But at the same time, we do consider in a 
respectful way that it would be better to stop the migration by 
building a kilometer of highway in Michoacan or Zacatecas than 10 
kilometers of walls in the border."

In another pointed remark, Calderon recalled how Bush had promised as 
a candidate in 2000 to put Mexico at the top of his foreign policy 
agenda. "Unfortunately, the terrible happenings against the United 
States people made that -- in a very understandable way, the 
priorities changed," he said, referring to Sept. 11, 2001. 
"Nevertheless, I believe that it is now time to retake the spirit of 
those words and to direct our relationship toward a path of mutual prosperity."

While vowing to fight drug-running in his country, Calderon also 
pointed out the U.S. responsibility for stopping the demand because 
"while there is no reduction in demand in your territory, it will be 
very difficult to reduce the supply in ours."

Bush did not directly rebut Calderon during their short ceremony at 
the Hacienda Temoezon , a 350-year-old farm-turned-hotel in Temozon 
Sur, 28 miles from here, but promised to push for immigration 
legislation at home that would address their mutual problems.

"I respect your views on migration," Bush said. "Because we're 
working together, I believe we will make good progress on this 
important issue." He added: "My pledge to you and your government -- 
but, more importantly, the people of Mexico -- is I will work as hard 
as I possibly can to pass comprehensive immigration reform."

The scratchy opening encounter surprised Bush aides and foreshadowed 
a challenging relationship between the leaders. Bush developed a 
rapport with Calderon's predecessor, Vicente Fox, but many Mexicans 
say Fox got little out of it and Calderon has taken a more practical, 
cautious approach.

The meeting came on the last stop of Bush's six-day, five-country 
tour through Latin America, which will end Wednesday after a joint 
news conference with the two leaders here. Following the arrival 
ceremony Tuesday, Bush and CalderA3n and their wives toured the 
ancient Uxmal ruins and posed for pictures in the shadow of the 
towering Pyramid of the Magician, then later had dinner at Hacienda 
Xcanatun, a restored luxury hotel with marble terraces and lush 
tropical gardens.

The time gave them a chance to get to know each other better. "The 
chemistry was good," said White House press secretary Tony Snow.

Dan Fisk, the president's top Latin America adviser, said Bush found 
Calderon's bluntness refreshing. "They can be very direct with each 
other in terms of the issues that are on their mind and they can talk 
with equal frankness about how to move forward," Fisk said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman