Leadership for the 21st Century Focus of Americas Conference.

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 1998--Early afternoon of the Americas Conference focused on leadership for the 21st century, with speeches by Governor Vicente Fox, Guanajuato, Mexico and Mexican Senator Elba Esther Gordillo.

Governor Fox addressed the need to overcome the lack of education throughout the continent, an issue which is vital to many countries. He compared a person with 14 years of education who is compensated US$30,000 per year versus a person with 7 years of education who is only compensated US$4,000 per year.

Senador Gordillo stated that "the new social leaderships on the threshold of the new millennium will be those that can demonstrate a capacity to propose and bring people together in order to construct new paradigms to prevent the rupture of civilization, community life and even the human species itself."

Continuing the leadership focus were Venezuelan presidential candidates Hugo Chavez and Mayor Irene Saez of Chacao.

Chavez announced the results of the latest poll conducted by El Nacional newspaper in Caracas, indicating that he is currently leading the polls at 46%, followed by other candidates at 23%, 12% and 5%.

Chavez referred to Venezuela's current political, economic and social crisis, and stated that the people of Venezuela have a dream, much like Martin Luther King. He also indicated that the public is closely following his campaign, with 90% of the public expected participate in the upcoming elections.

Mayor Saez spoke of the age-old confrontation between the old ideas of "statism and caudillismo which is sometimes dressed as a military, sometimes as a civil -- and the modern democratic ideal that development consists of creation and reinforcement of solid situations based above any caudillo."

"My main opponent, the same one that has talked to you through a video because he was denied entrance to the United States ... has confessed his admiration for dictators as Khadafy and Kim Il Sun, who he does not consider dictators but political leaders loved by their people," and has been lavish in praise for Fidel Castro.

In closing Saez said that "time has come for a new generation to take over. A generation that leaves behind the hatred of the past and one that will call to service the best people."

The Second Annual The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald Americas Conference: Shaping Business and Policy for the New Millennium is taking place Sept. 17-18, 1998, and is sponsored by Hamilton Bank, N.A., Ericsson, Ernst & Young, LLP, American Airlines, Southern Company, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, The Beacon Council, Gazeta Mercantil, International Media Service, Business Wire, Greenberg-Traurig, Caronel Enterprises and Miami International Mall.

For additional news on the Conference please visit the Conference website at www.herald.com/conference.