Fox Gives Nation Progress Report

Answering a rash of criticism, President Vicente Fox reminded Mexicans on Wednesday that he has established “a new mentality in the exercise of government” that has reduced what used to be near-total presidential power.

Delivering what he called the first quarterly report to the people, Fox recounted dozens of achievements since he took office Dec. 1. He cited new business and education initiatives and a concerted attack on corruption, and claimed, “In these six months, more has been done to solve the conflict in Chiapas than in the previous six years.”

But beyond the specifics, Fox sought to highlight the new mood in Mexico, saying his government has fostered unprecedented openness and political tolerance, creating “a new working culture of dialogue, accords and joint action.”

“Without doubt, our greatest achievement is to have abandoned authoritarianism,” Fox said. “. . . Authoritarian presidentialism and arrogance in relations with society and political organizations have been left behind.”

Signaling a shift in approach, Fox reached out to Congress on unpleasant but needed reforms, “so that together we move ahead in the construction of a new Mexico.”

In the last three weeks in particular, Fox has been skewered by the media for his failure to complete a peace deal with rebels in Chiapas state and to get a tax-reform package through Congress.

On Wednesday, political commentators appeared willing to give Fox the benefit of the doubt, while noting that he still needs to build relationships with Congress and other players, including in his own party.

Analyst Jose Antonio Crespo, who was among hundreds of reporters and opinion makers in the audience for the speech at the Los Pinos presidential complex, said of Fox’s overture to lawmakers:

“Up to now, he has gone directly to public opinion, as an indirect channel to pressure the Congress, rather than go directly to Congress and lobby and negotiate. Now that Congress is affirming its own autonomy, Fox is correcting himself a bit to say, ‘Let’s go with the Congress.’ ”

Political scientist Jorge Chabat said: “Fox was saying to those who have announced the failure of his government, they will have to wait awhile. It is a bit premature to evaluate a whole six-year term that has just begun.”

Flanked by 29 Cabinet members and top advisors during his 50-minute address, Fox said the number of operations by a national police investigative department had increased 450% in Mexico’s most crime-plagued states.

He said police had seized more than 14 tons of cocaine and had arrested 3,690 people on trafficking-related charges, seemingly high figures, although he gave no comparable statistics for other years.

In his professed war against corruption, Fox said that 23 investigations had been opened and that 43 mid- and high-level bureaucrats had been fired in the tax and customs departments.

He also reported that 750,000 families are being added to the nation’s anti-poverty program this year; 2.6 million families already receive such aid.

Beyond the often-dizzying array of statistics, Fox repeatedly stressed the democratic principles his government has embraced, including freedom of expression and respect for the separation of powers. The election of Fox, of the National Action Party, ended seven decades of rule by the Institutional Revolutionary Party.

“We congratulate ourselves that Mexico has reached a stage in which the executive branch is counterbalanced by other branches, in which no political force can by itself decide on crucial initiatives,” he said.

Crespo said Fox’s address in part reflected his effort to be accountable. Past presidents have issued annual progress reports.