http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/monte ... 863603.htm

Posted on Tue, Jun. 20, 2006

Schwarzenegger to meet with Fox in Mexico

BY KATE FOLMAR
Knight Ridder Newspapers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to make a trade mission to Mexico between August 20 and 22, his press secretary said Tuesday.

Schwarzenegger plans to meet with departing Mexican President Vicente Fox in the capital, Mexico City. He will also spend time in the economic and intellectual center of Monterrey, about 150 miles from the border with Texas.

"We have a robust relationship with Mexico," said Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Margita Thompson. "We share bonds of culture, family and commerce. And the governor has enjoyed previous trips he has taken to Mexico."

Thompson said one of the governor's many goals during the trip would be promoting California products.

Last month, Fox visited California and addressed a joint session of the legislature at the invitation of Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.

The governor's visit is being planned as debates rage in the United States about immigration policy. Schwarzenegger favors tighter border security, but also supports expanding the guest worker program. The governor recently agreed to President Bush's request to send National Guard troops to the Mexican border on a temporary basis. It also comes as Schwarzenegger seeks re-election.

Many political analysts believe the governor needs to regain support from California Latinos to win. Some Democrats had criticized Schwarzenegger for waiting until his third year in office to host Fox.

"It's about time," said Steve Maviglio, spokesman for Assembly Speaker Nunez. "Hopefully this will signal a new commitment by the governor to repair the relationship between California and Mexico, not just election-year grandstanding."

The visit falls after the July 2 Mexican election to pick Fox's successor, but before the president leaves office. When he was elected nearly six years ago, Fox broke the Institutional Revolutionary Party's 71-year grip on power.