 |
|
|
 Editorials | Issues | September 2007 
Ex-Mexican Chief Tackles U.S. Immigration Issues
 Ryan Huff - InsideBayArea.com
go to original
| | Vicente Fox speaks to sold-out crowd at Lesher Center for the Arts. |
Walnut Creek — Back when he was Mexico's president, Vicente Fox was welcomed into the United States with a 50-motorcycle escort and a warm handshake from his friend, President Bush.
But just nine months out of office, Fox now receives a much different greeting when flying here.
"Today, when I come to the United States, the first thing I hear is: 'Take off your boots! Take off your jacket!'" Fox told a sold-out crowd Monday night at the Lesher Center for the Arts. "But it's OK — this is a land I love."
Fox — whose presidential election victory made history by ending 71 years of one-party rule — told more jokes during his hourlong speech but also spoke candidly about diplomacy and U.S.-Mexico relations.
When a moderator asked him what advice he would give to Bush, Fox reiterated his opposition to the war in Iraq.
"I would suggest the United States move out of Iraq as soon as possible," he said, drawing applause from the crowd. "We created the United Nations for a purpose: to solve the problems among nations. When (former Iraqi President) Saddam Hussein comes along, when (Venezuelan President) Hugo Chavez comes along, when dictators come along, let the United Nations take care of those issues."
Fox, who admitted that it's easier to speak your mind once out of office, said he's frustrated that the United States has yet to pass immigration reform legislation — a project he advocated during his presidency, from 2000 to 2006. The United States' quality of life would be "highly diminished" without hardworking Mexicans filling jobs here, Fox said.
"I don't understand what is guiding this nation of the free, this nation that was built by migrants to have fear about migrants," he said. "Let's make it a win-win situation. I am not advocating for open borders and chaos. I am asking for intelligent analysis for how we can work together. Let's build bridges, not walls. Let's not be an ostrich and bury our heads into the ground like they are doing in Congress."
Fox, 65, also told the crowd of his roots in the United States. Born in Mexico City, he spent part of his childhood in Wisconsin.
"I went around picking up empty bottles of Coca-Cola" to recycle for 2 cents apiece, he said. "I had to buy my Milky Ways through bottles of Coca-Cola."
It's a soft drink he got to know well later in life. He began work at Coca-Cola in the 1960s by driving a delivery truck but quickly moved up the ranks to become president of the company's Latin American operations. In 1995, he became governor of the state of Guanajuato before his successful 2000 presidential election.
At the end of his speech, Fox praised Concord's Monument Crisis Center — the Lesher Speaker Series' highlighted nonprofit organization for the evening. The crisis center provides food, English classes and counseling to hundreds of low-income families.
"These are people that care," he said. "They are doing it for my people — for migrants and Mexicans in this community. I am grateful to this organization."
Reach Ryan Huff at rhuff@bayareanewsgroup.com or 925-977-8471. |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us