It is false it is only one model among others

The decision of the US Congress to build a wall on the border with the Mexico likely to impair your trade relations with the United States, or even to reluctant foreign investors who see your country as a gateway to the North American market

I do not think so. We always maintain a strong and friendly relations with the Government and the American society. The construction of the wall, if it occurs, will not impact on trade with the United States.

The decision of the Congress of the United States is purely electoral. It was five years that we cooperate very closely to maintain security at the border, in a spirit of shared responsibility. Demonstrated that security was ensured by the cooperation between our two countries: never a single terrorist is passed to the United States by the Mexican border. But the vote of the Senate creates a climate of mistrust between our two countries which could, if it continues, lead to serious problems of security in the long term. This is the reason for which we have officially protested.

Do you believe that this wall will be indeed built

This will in any case take considerable time and money. Or only $ 1.2 billion has been budgeted while estimated the cost of this wall of 10 to 12 billion... I am sure that in the aftermath of the November 7 election, there will be new reversals. Remember that a few months ago, the US Senate voted a very different text which also included a reform of migration policy. However, some advocates of reform have voted the construction of the wall on the assumption that past elections, the debate would resume! This proves the ability of the American extreme right groups to dominate the political agenda. They managed to control discussions on immigration, including strings of information such as Fox News and CNN, to evacuate the positive aspects. Mexican side, this gives an argument to the opponents of President Fox, who can tell: see what successful five years of cooperation with the Bush administration.

Are you worried that the confusion that followed the Mexican election of July 2 concerned investors

What investors want, is that decisions are taken in respect of the law and institutions. And many now believe that the Mexican economic institutions are very strong; an example is the independence of the Central Bank. The question is whether the political institutions are at the height. And, with what has happened these last three or four months, I am tempted to answer: Yes, in part. The presidential election was very close, but everything went in respect for legality and the independence between judiciary and Executive and legislative powers. Commenced after the election complaints were examined and resolved legally. The attempt of the losing candidate, Lopez Obrador, to mobilize the street was controlled in a peaceful manner despite the enormous problems that it landed in Mexico City. But the Constitution does not allow the federal power to intervene in this case, it is the municipality to take care. And, contrary to what is always done in the Mexico, the Fox Government has complied with this separation of powers. In the end, which has lost the game, for the view Lopez Obrador. We showed that we could deal with a complex political problem in strict respect of the institutions. A Oaxaca where we encounter the same type of local conflict (1), we want to act in the same way, through dialogue, even if made, it is true, much more difficult to resolve problems.

This does not prove the urgency of reform institutions

Absolutely. For me, the most urgent reform in the Mexico is the State. The relationship between the Federal and local authorities, the distribution of powers between Executive, legislative and judicial branches must be entirely re-written. I am hopeful that the Government of the next President, Felipe Calderon, who knows well the political workings, will find the opportunity to do so within 12 months. Specialists are working for a long time on the issue and, for the first time, politicians seem determined to confront the issue. From there, energy, taxation and labour reforms may be incurred. When we came to power with President Fox, we began with economic reforms and we failed. I discovered that nothing is possible without a prior reform of the State. In Latin America, it is convinced that democracy, is the presidential American. It is false, it is only one model among others. We must draw the various European, including the Swiss model experiments, to find our way.