The Cowboy Summit.

Bush and Fox prep for a fruitful relationship

A mid a press romp full of cowboy boot photo-ops and pledges for increased cooperation, U.S. President George W. Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox met Feb. 16 for an informal reunion at Fox's San Cristobal, Guanajuato ranch. Although local press came away unimpressed--reporting that news of joint U.S.-British air attacks on Iraqi radar installations upstaged the much-anticipated Bush-Fox encounter--and others claimed the summit was an exercise in style over substance, the two did hammer out strategies for some thorny issues in the neighbors' relationship.

Style was an important element of the visit, of course. The two presidents were all smiles, peeling off their ties and donning the requisite cowboy boots for their seven-hour summit.

From the get-go both presidents warned that the meeting was not intended to be about specifics, but rather to set the tone for a productive, meaningful relationship between the superpower and the rising industrial nation. But despite the folksy tone that permeated their appearances before the cameras, aides from both sides affirm that substantive talks took place behind closed doors.

What hadn't been intended for the meeting was that news would surface of the air raid on Iraq--the first military operation of Bush's term. The Fox camp was taken by surprise at the development, making Fox spokesperson Martha Sahagun wonder aloud, "why couldn't they have waited until tomorrow?" Fox, although visibly annoyed that the spotlight had been taken away from the summit, took it in stride.

"I have no comment at this time," he said to the excited press corps, who, having momentarily lost all interest in the border and drug cartels, asked Fox what he thought of the U.S. military maneuver.

Despite the Iraqi distraction, the talks culminated in a working document called the Guanajuato Proposal, which was signed by both heads of state. Here's a run-down of what it covered:

Immigration and border issues: Although Fox's dream of an open U.S.-Mexico border for workers may be a long time in coming, the two presidents agreed to establish guidelines that guarantee the humane treatment of and dignified labor conditions for immigrants in the United States. A bilateral working group--consisting of Mexican Foreign Secretary Jorge Castaneda and Interior Secretary Santiago Creel, and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Attorney General John Ashcroft--will work on new policies to bolster protections and help stem the tide of illegal immigrants.

Bush also promised that his administration would comply with a recent Nafta-panel decision allowing Mexican truckers free circulation in the United States.

Narcotics: Bush agreed to support Mexico in its efforts to end the annual drug certification process in U.S. Congress, a process by which the United States places sanctions on countries it believes are not doing their part to fight drug trafficking. Mexico, although it has never been de-certified, finds the measure a humiliating invasion of its sovereignty. Convincing Congress to exempt Mexico from the certification process may be easier said than done, however, considering it is a favorite ritual by many Capitol Hill hotheads who believe Mexico's anti-drug trafficking efforts are mired in corruption. Bush struck a sympathetic tone, saying he would tell Congress that Fox "will do everything in his power to root out the drug lords." He even admitted that the United States is also to blame for the problem:

"The main reason why drugs are shipped through Mexico to the United States is because United States citizens use drugs," Bush said. "And our nation must do a better job of educating our citizenry about the dangers and evils of drug use."

Energy: The presidents vowed to devise a common energy policy. With demand far outreaching supply on both sides of the border, and private investment still a thorny issue in Mexico's state-run energy sector, Bush claimed that energy must be looked upon as a hemispheric issue affecting both countries, and should be "elevated to the presidential level."

Commerce: Bush and Fox agreed to work on extending the benefits of Nafta to under-developed areas of the region and renewed their commitment to fiscal austerity, low inflation and solid financial systems. Good news for Bush's home state: Mexico agreed to give water back to farmers in Texas, resolving a long-disputed water debt.