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Fox begins last year as Mexico's president
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-01 09:51

Mexican President Vicente Fox heads into his final year of office Thursday, promising a more democratic, less corrupt and economically stable Mexico.

Fox toppled one of the world's longest ruling parties in 2000, setting off a national euphoria that a new, modern Mexico was at hand. But many Mexicans quickly grew frustrated at the former Coca-Cola executive's inability to push through reforms.

Today, some believe the country may be worse off than when he came to power five years ago.

"He deserves high marks for having defeated an encrusted political machine. He has had the most transparent government in Mexico's history," said George Grayson, a Mexico expert at the College of William & Mary in Virginia.

"But in general, there's just so many wasted opportunities. ... Fox is leaving the country in worse shape than he found it."

Mexico has lost foreign markets to India and China, largely because Fox was unable to push through antitrust laws and other reforms needed, Grayson said.

"Mexico lost five years in the global economy," he said.

Mexican President Vicente Fox gestures as he speaks to foreign correspondents on the eve of his five year in office anniversary at the Los Pinos presidential residence in Mexico City, Mexico on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005. At right is Fox's spokesman Ruben Aguilar. [AP]

Stockbroker Victor Romero said Fox lacked "political operators" to push through structural reforms needed to modernize Mexico.

Sales agent Berenice Morlet agreed.

"He hasn't been allowed to do what he wanted, but at the same time he never bothered to wear the pants in the family and get things done," she said.

Mexico's gross domestic product grew sluggishly at a rate of 3 percent during the first nine months of 2005, a slowdown from the 4.4 percent rate in 2004. The president is still calling for the Mexican Congress to pass tax, energy, labor and pension reforms to improve the growth rate.

Fox acknowledges he was not able to do enough to combat crime, a problem from Mexico City to the country's near-lawless border towns.

However, the president said he has made important advances, including record-low inflation, the lowest unemployment rate in Latin America and a 30 percent drop in poverty.

He also prides himself on establishing a culture in which Mexicans no longer accept corruption as the norm. His administration has investigated thousands of cases involving crooked public officials and vastly improved public access to information.

"Every government purchase is made public, whether it be a pencil or a piece of paper, and as such, the doors to corruption have been closed in an important way," Fox said.

He also believes he will score a U.S.-Mexico migration accord.

"We continue to be optimistic that in the next year we will be able to pin down what we have been working on for a good number of years, which is to reach an accord, and that the U.S. Congress will approve the initiatives that are already there," Fox said Tuesday.

Critics say that is doubtful since both countries are entering into election years.

Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez said Wednesday that Mexico wanted three things from U.S. immigration reform: the legalization of migrants already living in the United States, the option of reuniting families separated by the border and a bilateral migration accord.

While Fox said Tuesday that the United States could build a wall along its border if it wants, Derbez said Mexico opposed walls along any borders, anywhere in the world.

"We don't really think it's a solution," he said. "It doesn't have anything to do with the United States."

President Bush gave a tough speech Monday calling for more border enforcement and no amnesty for undocumented migrants.

Bush stressed his support for a temporary guest-worker program, but that plan envisions having most workers return home after up to six years working in the United States.

Mexico is pushing for more permanent, legal residence.

"It's a no-win arrangement, and the (U.S.) Republicans are scared to death they're going to lose Congress. I don't think they're going to put on their plate a hot potato like immigration," Grayson said.

Fox, who by law cannot run for re-election, says he will spend his final days building his legacy and not simply riding out his term.

"We have worked hard to strengthen democracy," said Fox, adding that it is now a "way of life" in a country that just five years ago was accustomed to rigged elections and payoffs by officials.

Fox hopes to be remembered as a leader who was "very close to the people. An honest person who gave my all to my job."