Voices of Mexico no. 62

Our Voice

Both the Asian Pacific Economic Coordination (APEC) forum in Los Cabos and the Mexico-U.S. binational conference in Mexico City last November show once again Washington's preeminence in world decisions. They also demonstrate that the United States is using the multilateral and bilateral economic spheres -the latter of fundamental importance for Mexicans- as the launc hing pad for its anti -terrorist offensive at the expense of trade a nd political relations with its main partners. This offensive is focused on lrak and supposedly the defense of U.S. security against AI Qaeda's threats of aggression against Western targets. lt also has a direct impact on the interests of countries like Mexico that once again will h ave to wait for strategic bilateral negotiations until Washington's hegemonic demands have been satisfied. For Mexico, this disadvantageous situation is not a small matter; it means an important delay for the issues of greatest concern on the bilateral agenda, and a relative change in the traditional terms of being neighbors with the United States.

Due to the fact that historically, relations with the United States have had a critical effect on many aspects of our national political and economic life, this impasse will influe nce -as it already has begun to­ Mexico's political debate. Certainly, since September 11, Mexicans are more divided than ever about relations with the United States. They have seen how, after the democratic elections of 2000, but a bove all since the tragic terrorist attacks against the United States, the possibilities for a substantial negotiation have been categorically stymied. In the framework of the anti-terrorist struggle and given the U.S. refusal to offer clear perspectives of potential results on issues such as migration, trade, the environment, etc., let alone definitive solutions, the perception is growing among the public, even the most tolerant and inclusive parts of the public, and among sectors of the political class, that the efforts of the democratic political process and the strategic idea Mexico has put forward of drawing closer to the United States have been useless.