*EPF205 11/26/2002
Transcript: President Bush Affirms Strength of U.S.-Mexico Partnership
(Hails progress on a variety of bilateral issues) (1370)

Declaring that "the United States has no more important relationship in the world than the one we have with Mexico," President Bush greeted delegates to the U.S.-Mexico Bi-National Commission Meeting via video hook-up on November 26 and offered his assessment of the partnership between the two neighboring countries.

In his remarks, broadcast to U.S. and Mexican cabinet members attending the meeting in Mexico City, the president recalled that "we launched this dialogue last year to put aside a history of distrust, and [to] speak with each other on common concerns in the frank and honest manner of friends."

As evidence of deepening engagement between the Mexican and U.S. governments, he pointed to concrete achievements in the bilateral agenda since the commission was formed. "At your meeting today, we are finalizing agreements on border cooperation, education, housing, economic development, and combating child labor," Bush said. "We have also agreed to an innovative Border Air Quality Initiative to help local governments in both countries work together to reduce air pollution."

Bush praised the leadership of Mexican President Vicente Fox, citing his "dynamic vision for Mexico" and describing him as "an example to other reformers -- in the Americas and throughout the world." In addition, Fox has helped to establish a larger role for Mexico in the global arena, Bush indicated.

Referring to the recent United Nations resolution on Iraq, he said: "President Fox and I worked closely in the [U.N.] Security Council to hold [Iraqi leader] Saddam Hussein to his promises of disarmament, to uphold the authority of the United Nations, and -- most importantly -- to keep the peace. And Mexico is a valued ally in the war against terror. President Fox has increased security at the [U.S.-Mexico] border, and worked with the U.N. to approve strong counter-terrorism resolutions."

Although Bush conceded that the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States have inevitably complicated the bilateral agenda, he expressed confidence that any setbacks would be temporary. "The war on terror has made movement across our border more difficult," he noted. "We ask for your patience as we work to end the delays." In order to facilitate legitimate cross-border traffic, Mexico and the United States have adopted a new "smart border" initiative, he said, "using advanced technology to ensure that our borders are open to all honest trade and travel -- but closed to criminals, to drug traffickers, and to terrorists."

Moreover, "the 'smart border' agreement will help us to continue building on the tremendous success of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)," Bush explained. The benefits of free trade are vividly illustrated, he said, by the fact that "NAFTA has helped to create hundreds of thousands of higher-paying jobs, and helped lift millions of lives, on both sides of the border."

In addition, Mexico and the United States have launched a Partnership for Prosperity agreement "to direct private investment to central and southern Mexico," the president said. To enhance development efforts, "the partnership is already providing funding for new education and environmental initiatives" in rural Mexican towns and villages, he observed.

Bush applauded the contributions of Mexican immigrants to the cultural and economic life of the United States, and reiterated his belief that officials from both countries must "continue to work together on creative new policies, so that immigration is legal, orderly, and safe."

Mexico and the United States share many core values, Bush said, such as a common desire to extend the benefits of free markets to all their citizens and an insistence on "a fully democratic Western Hemisphere." And finally, the president concluded, the U.S.-Mexico Bi-National Commission Meeting "affirms our strong and shared commitments to democracy, faith, and freedom."

Following is a transcript of Bush's remarks at the opening of the Bi-National Commission Meeting:

(begin transcript)

Remarks by President George W. Bush (as delivered)
At the Opening of the Bi-National Commission Meeting

Mexico City
November 26, 2002

It is an honor to speak to this meeting of Cabinet ministers from the United States and Mexico. I also want to welcome all the viewers. "Buenos Días, México." I'm glad you could join us.

"Nuestras naciones comparten una frontera en común, pero somos más que vecinos. Somos también buenos amigos, unidos por lazos de familia y de comercio, y por la misma determinación de hacer frente a los desafíos del siglo XXI."

The United States has no more important relationship in the world than the one we have with Mexico. I have visited Mexico more than any other country, and consult with my friend President Fox frequently. And I have chosen Tony Garza, one of my most trusted amigos and a valuable member of my team when I was governor of Texas, to be ambassador to Mexico.

We launched this dialogue last year to put aside a history of distrust, and speak with each other on common concerns in the frank and honest manner of friends.

And we are making progress in our relationship. At your meeting today, we are finalizing agreements on border cooperation, education, housing, economic development, and combating child labor. We have also agreed to an innovative Border Air Quality Initiative to help local governments in both countries work together to reduce air pollution.

These achievements are a tribute to the leadership of President Vicente Fox. I am fortunate to have him as a partner, and proud to call him "amigo." He has a dynamic vision for Mexico. And he is an example to other reformers -- in the Americas and throughout the world.

President Fox and I worked closely in the Security Council to hold Saddam Hussein to his promises of disarmament, to uphold the authority of the United Nations, and -- most importantly -- to keep the peace. And Mexico is a valued ally in the war against terror. President Fox has increased security at the border, and worked with the U.N. to approve strong counter-terrorism resolutions. President Fox understands that the terrorists hate our freedom and threaten our way of life -- and that they must be defeated.

The war on terror has made movement across our border more difficult. We ask for your patience as we work to end the delays. The "smart border" agreement concluded between our nations earlier this year will help. Under the agreement, we are using advanced technology to ensure that our borders are open to all honest trade and travel -- but closed to criminals, to drug traffickers, and to terrorists.

The "smart border" agreement will help us to continue building on the tremendous success of the North American Free Trade Agreement. For almost nine years, NAFTA has helped to create hundreds of thousands of higher-paying jobs, and helped lift millions of lives, on both sides of the border.

President Fox and I are determined to extend the benefits of free markets to all our citizens. Through the Partnership for Prosperity, we are helping to direct private investment to central and southern Mexico. The partnership is already providing funding for new education and environmental initiatives. And we are reducing the cost to families that send a part of their earnings back to Mexico.

Immigrants from Mexico make many contributions to the United States. They enrich our culture, strengthen our economy, and share the deepest values of my nation -- hard work, strong faith, and love for their families. U.S. migration policies must treat Mexican men, women and children with respect and dignity. Our Cabinet officials continue to work together on creative new policies, so that immigration is legal, orderly, and safe.

The United States welcomes a stronger, more prosperous Mexico. The United States and Mexico both welcome a fully democratic Western Hemisphere. We are committed to expanding the success of NAFTA with a Free Trade Area of the Americas -- an historic opportunity to build two connected continents of prosperity.

Our meeting today affirms our strong and shared commitments to democracy, faith, and freedom. I look forward to continuing this dialogue among friends, a dialogue built on honesty and trust, and seizing the opportunities before our two nations.

"Muchas gracias por su atención y buenos días a todos mis amigos en México."

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

Return to Public File Main Page

Return to Public Table of Contents