Photos A visit to school More from MPR Minnesota-Mexico trade still short of potential (06/18/2004) Mexico's President Vicente Fox visits Twin Cities (06/17/2004) Minnesota's Hispanic market grows along with population (06/17/2004) Your Voice Join the conversation with other MPR listeners in the News Forum.

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Mexico's president wraps up Midwest tour with stop in Twin Cities
by Jeff Horwich, Minnesota Public Radio
June 18, 2004

President Fox visited Academia Cesar Chavez, a charter school in St. Paul with a 95 percent Hispanic population. (MPR Photo/Art Hughes)

Mexican President Vicente Fox has returned home after a three-day visit to the upper Midwest. Fox and his 40-person entourage spent the final afternoon of their U.S. visit in the Twin Cities. State officials joined Fox in saying they want to fast-forward the Minnesota-Mexico relationship, focusing on immigration and trade. The Mexican president did announce one major step forward: A Mexican consulate here within the next three years.

St. Paul, Minn. — The Fox visit inspired perhaps the largest ever performance in Minnesota of the Mexican national anthem. Seven-hundred-and-fifty invited guests rose to their feet at Fox's state dinner in Minneapolis, many singing along. Chants of "Vicente" had broken out when the president entered the room.

Fox arrived late to Minnesota and had to rush through an already optimistic schedule. But it was still the first visit here by a Mexican head-of-state, something both sides say will lead to a deeper relationship.

Gov. Pawlenty declared Friday "Mexico Appreciation Day," and officials like Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak broke out their best imitation of the Spanish language.

The big news from the visit is the promise of a Mexican consulate here, to serve the more than 95,000 Minnesota residents of Mexican descent. President Fox spoke briefly with reporters before the dinner began.

"It's our firm idea to open up a consulate here in the state of Minnesota. And we will do that soon and fast because people are requesting it, they deserve it, and we're going to open it up," he said.

Fox made the announcement earlier in the day in Spanish, which led to some confusion in the local press. Initial reports said the consulate would be open in St. Paul before the end of the year. Officials later clarified the location has not been chosen, and the timeline is three years.

One of the state dinner guests was Joyce Graciela, one of two representatives in Minnesota of the closest Mexican consulate now, in Chicago. She says there could be as many as 300,000 Mexicans here, including migrants, most uncounted by official figures. They cannot easily get to Chicago for help, and Graciela tries to keep up with their questions from her home in Winona.

"Health, migratory health is a big one right now, housing for example, employment, where do they file their taxes, where do you go to deliver a baby, where do I get aspirin; that simple," according to Graciela.

Officials say a consulate could also advise Minnesota companies looking to do business in Mexico, and Mexican companies looking to expand here. The trade relationship could probably use the help. Minnesota exports to Mexico fell last year by nine percent, and lag far behind nearby states like Wisconsin. President Fox says he sees a challenge.

"It is true, but that shows the potential that we have ahead. And how we're going to do it, by opening the consulate, by paying visits frequently from businessman to businessman, and by promising that to happen. That's why the governor has the open invitation, and I was here today and I'm planning to come back as soon as I can," he said.

About 30 Mexican journalists trailed Fox on his trip to the Midwest. In a room near the state dinner, Enrique Hernandez filed his latest story with W Radio, one of Mexico's largest radio stations. Hernandez has followed Fox around the globe in the presidential plane, which the press has dubbed "Air Fox One." He says this trip, like the others, is essentially a sales pitch for the Mexican economy.

"Basically President Fox comes here to say, 'bring the capital to Mexico and not to other countries, not to China.' He said in one speech it is a very clear, 'Not all that brights is gold -- not all that glitters is gold -- Yes, that Mexico has many opportunities that China doesn't have," he said.

Hernandez also says the president has shared with the Mexican press another frustration. Fox believes nothing can get done in a U.S. election year, and that's why discussions are stalled on immigration and on updating the North American Free Trade Agreement.

In the meantime, what Fox can do is work his relationships with individual states. If the ceremony of this single afternoon is any indication, Minnesota officials are grateful to be on his list.

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