Thread: Reverend Jackson Arrives In Mexico To Meet W/Fox

http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impr ... abla=miami

Jackson arrives in Mexico to meet with Fox


The U.S. government says Fox addressed his comment on blacks by expressing regret.

Wire services
May 18, 2005

The Rev. Jesse Jackson flew to Mexico on Tuesday for a meeting with President Vicente Fox in a bid to quash tensions following the Mexican leader's controversial comment about African Americans.

Jackson's trip came the same day that Mexico's Assistant Foreign Secretary, Patricia Olamendi, said "if anyone felt offended by the statement, I offer apologies on behalf of my government."

Fox angered both the U.S. government and African Americans when he said Friday that Mexicans take jobs "not even" blacks want in the United States. Fox later spoke with Jackson, and was scheduled to meet with him early Wednesday in Mexico City, Fox's office said.

"We cannot let the forces of greed manipulate blacks and browns into confrontation," Jackson said Tuesday prior to leaving Chicago for Mexico City. "We must choose coalition and coexistence."

"We also must avoid MexicanAmericans being used as pawns and blacks being used as scapegoats for the economic crisis," Jackson said.

Facing international criticism, Fox spoke by phone Monday with Jackson and Al Sharpton, another prominent black civil rights leader, and expressed regret for "any hurt feelings caused by my statements."

TENSE RELATIONSHIP

Fox invited Jackson and Sharpton to Mexico for talks aimed at improving the sometimes tense relationship between blacks and Hispanics in the United States. It was unclear when Sharpton would visit.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said the matter appeared to be closed Tuesday.

"President Fox made a public statement regretting his comments, and I think he's addressed the matter," he said.

When asked if a public apology would be issued, the president's spokesman, Rubén Aguilar, said repeatedly that the dispute was resolved.

"In no case had there been a racist attitude on the president's part with that statement but instead it was about defending the rights of Mexicans to a dignified life and to respectful treatment from the United States," Aguilar said at a news conference Tuesday.

On Monday, U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher called Fox's remark "very insensitive and inappropriate" and said the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City had raised the issue with the Mexican government.

Aguilar said Mexico had received no formal complaint from the U.S. State Department.

He brushed aside repeated questions from reporters who pushed him to clarify whether Fox was sorry.

"From the point of view of the president, the misinterpretation has been clarified with the affirmation by the president, with his repeated demonstrations of absolute respect for minorities, whatever their race, their ethnicity, their religion," he said.

The dispute was the latest row with Mexico's northern neighbor, and reflected Mexicans' frustration with the failure of the U.S. government to approve a migration accord widely touted by U.S. President George W. Bush.

DIPLOMATIC LETTER

Fox's administration sent a diplomatic letter Monday that protested new U.S. immigration policies clearing the way for an extension of a border wall along the California-Mexico border and requiring states to check that migrants are legal before giving them U.S. driver's licenses.

Deputy Foreign Relations Secretary Gerónimo Gutiérrez was following up with personal visits Tuesday in Washington.

Gutiérrez was also expected to meet soon with U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza, who has been criticized by Mexico for issuing tourist warnings about increasing drug violence in Mexico and for comments he made on the management of Mexico's economy.

Garza went to Los Pinos, the presidential residence, for three hours on Tuesday. He did not meet with Fox directly, but rather with his aide, Ramón Muñoz.

It is not clear what was discussed during the meeting.

"We also must avoid MexicanAmericans being used as pawns and blacks being used as scapegoats for the economic crisis," Jackson said.

Well, Sharpton was on Lou Dobbs Tuesday night and he was much more virulent. You can also bet that Jackson is going to read Fox the riot act in his own office and his own country. This is shaping up as a seminal moment in this struggle.

Thanks Butterbean!!!!!

Sixx, Wouldn't you like to be a fly on that wall!