Thread: U.S., Mexico have important trump cards: immigration, oil

U.S., Mexico have important trump cards: immigration, oil
By Ernesto V. Portillo Sr.

This Sunday marks the third anniversary since voters in Mexico authorized a change in the political party leadership and elected Vicente Fox as head of their government.

Much was promised and more has been expected, but there have been no miracles. Unfortunately, Fox's Cabinet was composed primarily of people who were new to political circles, especially to Mexico City's ways.

His own minister of foreign relations, Jorge Castañeda -who resigned early this year and now is quite busy critiquing his former boss - is perhaps making things ready for his own presidential campaign.

The strongest set of cards that the new president of Mexico had was the supposedly friendly relationship with President Bush, as the key to forge new immigration accords with the United States.

But everything was put on hold after 9/11, which has left thousands of people with nothing but dashed hopes for coming to work in our country.

Now both chief executives believe they have another opportunity to improve their relations spurred on by international events.

Bush has requested that his Mexican counterpart opens his country's doors to U.S. investments in their oil monopoly, PEMEX (Petróleos Mexicanos).

Such was the message that was recently presented by members of the International Relations Committee of the U.S. Congress to Mexico City.

And in fact, most recently, it was George Bush Sr. who was in the capital city in a meeting with a group of captains of industry and also visited briefly with Fox. The message most assuredly was the same: oil and business.

But what an insult it has been for official Mexico. Ever since the oil industry expropriation in 1938 by then-President Lázaro Cárdenas, their "black gold" has been synonymous with the Mexican flag.

Fox's response followed the expected political rhetoric: "PEMEX is not only a segment of our economy but part of our history as well. Therefore it will never be for sale."

PEMEX's track record is well-known for not ever responding to all of its country's needs. As usual, it has to depend on such basic oil products as natural gas of which its land has more than an ample supply.

Unfortunately, Mexico does not have enough capital to develop this industry and operate it in an efficient manner.

But most of all, it is the lack of political will to use such a valuable natural resource to negotiate on an equal basis, investment in Mexico's oil industry and the necessary immigration reforms in the United States.

Such modifications to Mexico's policies do not necessarily signify the takeover of its oil industry, but the opening of true negotiations. U.S. oil investments could literally open the door on the border.

"The black gold" nationalized by Cárdenas can continue being part of Mexico's assets and heritage, but the time has come to elevate it in true value and make it an important instrument in its negotiations with the United States and with other countries as well.

But such a decision is purely political, and there will be no change in posture until a president along with his Congress has the fortitude, the vision of a global perspective to restructure and overhaul the "politics" from within and without.

Unfortunately, Fox is far away from being the man who could bring about the changes needed to persuade his countrymen - because he is not convinced himself.

As for Bush, it's doubtful that in exchange for investments in Mexico's oil industry he would spearhead a movement to modify U.S. immigration laws to provide amnesty for more than 3.5 million illegal Mexican residents and establish a visa program for additional workers from Mexico.

But the potential is there for negotiations that would be mutually beneficial.

· Ernesto V. Portillo Sr. is an occasional columnist for the Star.

TO: Ernesto Portillo

Ernesto, Ernesto, Ernesto

Get This and Get It Straight and Do It Now!!

You silly litle twerp. How dare you suggest that the American People over-bloat their nation with immigrants we don't need and don't want here in exchange for enriching Mexico with oil purchases.

The United States does not presently own an oil company. The United States doesn't develop oil reserves; buy oil reserves; explore for oil and gas; sell oil and gas except through federal land leases; does not distribute oil or gas; and does not refine it.

We have a private enterprise system of many corporations who handle these matters for the United States. They are called, to name a few, Chevron/Texaco; Conoco/Phillips; Exxon/Mobile; UNOCAL; etc., etc., etc.

The President of the United States has no authority to exchange immigrants for oil with any nation on behalf of the American People.

SO HEAR THIS: The United States does not negotiate with immigrant exporters.

Your suggestion is repugnant, idiotic and an example of the "dumbing-down" and criminalization of the United States.