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 Editorials | Issues | October 2007 
Former President Fox: Nations Would Benefit From Female Leader
 Henry C. Jackson - Associated Press
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| | Former Mexican President Vicente Fox defended illegal immigrants who work in United States, but he tempered his comments by saying he didn't support "illegality" or open borders. |
Storm Lake, Iowa - Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said Friday his native country and the United States would benefit from electing a female president.
The reason, Fox said, is that women in leadership have different characteristics than their male counterparts. These traits have long been embraced by businesses across the world, he said, but they have yet to take hold in government.
"Maybe it is because having kids is such a special thing. ... (Women) think about the future more, they think about their children," he said during a lecture at Buena Vista University in northwest Iowa.
During an afternoon session with about 800 students and faculty, Fox took questions and offered a free range of opinions on issues such as corruption in Mexico and the merits of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Fox said he was an honest leader, setting himself apart from former Mexican leaders by being the first to release his personal finances to the public.
Fox also reminded the audience of his commitment to remain in Mexico after he left office. He said his decision prompted criticism from people who were not used to his style.
"We decided to go against the culture that a former president is not allowed to participate. We decided to stay in Mexico. We decided to work for the future," said Fox, who ended 71 years of Institutional Revolutionary Party rule with his historic election in July 2000.
He later added, "It's like Don Quixote said. 'Sancho, if dogs are barking than we are advancing.' That is what's happening in Mexico right now."
When asked by a student if the United States was losing its greatness, Fox seemed to take a jab at President Bush.
"The core values that make this nation great are just that, core values," he said. "It is just that, sometimes, they are lost and need to be recuperated."
Fox also complained of the United States' trade arrangement with Mexico, saying that Americans are slow to accept that the "world is flat" _ a reference to Tom Friedman's best selling book about globalization.
"God did not create borders," he said. "He did not create divisions."
At an evening session with about 220 invitees, Fox defended Mexican immigrants in the United States as "those who take risk, those who will leave their families and go out to work for them."
"That's why I admire so much the Mexican people here," he said. "They make your life better, maybe they build your homes. ... They are here because they are needed."
Fox repeated his skepticism and concern about the United States' plan to build a wall along its southern border.
"That was not the spirit of those who came to found this nation," Fox said.
"This is a land of immigrants, a great nation, a leader in the world. That's why I don't understand building a wall."
Fox was scheduled to attend another campus event Saturday morning before departing.
Illegal Immigrants With Jobs are Critical to U.S., Fox Says
Lisa Rossi - Des Moines Register
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Storm Lake, Ia. - Former Mexican President Vicente Fox defended illegal immigrants who work in United States, but he tempered his comments Friday at Buena Vista University by saying he didn't support "illegality" or open borders.
"Those who are here, about 12 million undocumented people work, have a job in many well-known companies," Fox told about 800 Buena Vista University students, faculty and staff.
"They have jobs making some of your homes, or have a job in schools. They have jobs in service, in tourism. They have jobs in teaching, in restaurants."
"This economy needs that."
Fox said illegal immigrants without jobs should be "sent back and should be put in line in the guest worker program."
Buena Vista is located in Storm Lake, where for years the immigrant population has grown rapidly.
Fox was scheduled to remain in Storm Lake today.
The students did not ask soft questions. Some asked Fox about his ideas on abortion, others about discrimination against women in Mexico.
Buena Vista student Zayra Ortiz, a junior from Storm Lake, asked him about polls showing that many Mexicans believe he "engaged in illegal enrichment while in office."
"What can be done so that Mexicans gain faith in the integrity of their politicians?" she said.
Fox responded that he was the first president to make his personal finances public.
He said he went against the culture and common practice in Mexico, where past former presidents have kept a low profile. "We decided to stay in Mexico," he said. "We decided to work for the future. We decided to stay active. ... If dogs are barking, then we are advancing."
Cathy Grothe, a Buena Vista spokeswoman, said Fox was paid a stipend from the Siebens Foundation, which brings lecturers to campus each year. She would not disclose how much he was paid.
There were light moments during the event. At one point, James Hampton, a professor of biology and the event's moderator, asked Fox if he would like a refreshment. Then students put big bottles of Pepsi and Coke in front of Fox, a former president of the Mexican division of beverage company Coca-Cola.
The moment also was outlined in a script handed out to members of the news media.
Fox was president of Mexico from 2000 to 2006 and is credited with playing a role in Mexico's democratization.
At an evening lecture, Fox focused on his opposition to the United States building a wall along its southern border and his hope that the United States and Mexico can work together.
"The American dream is not exclusive to the citizens of this great nation," he said.
Fox also said that the immigration debate in the United States is guided by fear.
"Maybe people are confused that immigrants are terrorists," said Fox before a crowd of 220 invitation-only guests. "That's absolutely false. Immigrants are not terrorists. They are human beings with dignity and desire to progress."
Fox said that Mexico is a reliable partner with America.
"This is my dream for Americans: that we work together and ... be able to expand prosperity to all nations in Latin America," he said.
Reporter Lisa Rossi can be reached at lrossi@dmreg.com |
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