CA: Governor to tout state goods in three-day trip to Mexico

Contra Costa Times ^ | 6/21/06 | Kate Folmar

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to make a trade mission to Mexico from Aug. 20-22, his press secretary said Tuesday.

Schwarzenegger plans to meet with departing Mexican President Vicente Fox in 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, D-Los Angeles.

The governor's visit is being planned as debates rage in the United States about immigration policy. Schwarzenegger favors tighter border security, but he 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 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 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.

[Red Badger]

Does he have a visa?..........