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LAS ELECCIONES MEXICANAS
con Francisco Labastida, el candidato del PRI
English Translation
On July 2nd, Mexico will hold historic elections. The competition is real, involving public debates by the candidates. Francisco Labastida, the candidate of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), appeared LIVE online Friday, March 24 at noon. This is the first time in history that a Mexican presidential candidate has appeared live on washingtonpost.com to answer questions.
Mr. Labastida answered questions regarding: the election, the future of Mexico, political and economic reforms, corruption, the fight against crime, narcotrafficking, emigration, and U.S.-Mexican relations.
Francisco Labastida was born in the town of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, and graduated from the National University of Mexico with a degree in economics. In 1987, he was elected the governor of Sinaloa. He served as Mexico's ambassador to Portugal and has held three cabinet positions: Minister of the Interior, Agriculture, and Energy. He and his wife, Maria Teresa Uriarte, live in Mexico City. They have five children.
Following is the English transcript of the discussion:
To access Mr. Labastida's web site, click aqui.
washingtonpost.com: Thank you appearing Live Online, Mr. Labastida. We thank you for agreeing to participate from Mexicali in this internet discussion regarding the future of Mexico. Much has been written about how this electoral process is the most open that Mexico has had in decades. Do you think that's true? As you campaign throughout the country, do you find that people are confident that the electoral process can improve their lives, or does the system lack credibility with the voters?
Francisco Labastida: I'm pleased to be here with washingtonpost.com, and to be the first Mexican presidential candidate to utilize this medium to come in contact with thousands of people around the world who are interested in my country.
I'm grateful to the editors of the Washington Post for their kind invitation combine the Greek tradition of democracy with the information superhighway.
Mexico has an electoral process that guarantees free and just elections that are equitable and with open results. The election authority, the Federal Election Institute, is directed by nine independent citizens, appointed by a majority of the Mexican Congress. An independent and autonomous Election Tribunal, whose members were appointed unanimously by the Mexican Senate, is also in place.
The fair access laws assure that political parties which received fewer votes than ours will now have greater public financing than we will. The PRD and its allies have close to $100 million in subsidies and PAN has the same financial means as the PRI, despite having garnered fewer votes than my party. There's also parity in the use of free radio and television time for political announcements.
Mexicans are confident that under the FEI the July 2 elections will be the cleanest and most open in our history.
Washington, D.C.: Mr. Labastida: You wont the first "election primaries" held by the PRI in the history of the party. Do you think that will give you freedom of action with respect to the "hereditary bureaucracy" than you predecessors if you're elected president? I'm not Mexican.
Francisco Labastida: During the primary elections, the four PRI candidates received 10 million votes. The other parties, with one candidate each, with in once case fewer than 500 votes and in another close to 100 thousand, but only one candidate. The PRI is at the forefront of democracy in Mexico.
Bloomington, Illinois: I have family in Mexico who are lawyers, engineers and computer professionals. Despite their educational backgrounds and experience, every three or four years they tell me that because of the economy they've found themselves without work. If you're elected president, what would you do about the employment situation?
Francisco Labastida: First I'd eliminate economic crises by lowering the deficit, and common sense, professional management of the economy. Secondly I'd drive more savings and investment in private businesses in order to stimulate the economic growth and employment. Third, I'll implement an activist plan for employment, for growth of small and medium sized businesses, tourism, home construction, and farming and breeders of livestock.
Chicago, Illinois: Do you support free education at every level, including public university?
Francisco Labastida: Yes, with an emphasis on quality of education. In this century of discovery and knowlege, the country that falls behind in quality education will eliminate its chance to provide a better standard of living to its people and to succeed as a nation.
Phoenix, Arizona: Do you think that Mexicans who live abroad should have the right to vote in these elections?
Francisco Labastida: Yes. All Mexican citizens should have the right to vote, expecially in a presidential election.
When I was Interior Minister, there were various initiatives on this issue. Unfortunately, Congress couldn't agree on a plan to approve voting from abroad. I hope that in the next presidential election it'll be possible.
This is an issue that will be decided by the legislative branch. During my presidency I'll ask for a debate that will contribute to the definition of clear laws so t hat Mexican citizens living abroad will have the right to elect their president.
Laurel, Maryland: I've read and heard a great deal of commentary regarding the alarming levels of corruption in law enforcement in your country, particularly the police?
Francisco Labastida: Top priority. Mexico undoubtedly has a serious crime problem that has grown because many crimes go unpunished, with the perpetrators still at large; this is due to the fact that they're protected, in many occasions, by corrupt policemen. When I was the Governor of the state of Sinaloa, the first directive I issued as Governor on my first day was to initiate a purge of the police corps. In six months, four out of every ten police officers were jailed on corruption charges.
Kentwood, Michigan: Mr Labastida: My name is Felipe. It's been 22 years since I emigrated to the United States, like millions of other Mexicans who came here looking for a better way of life, even though on many occasions the cultural losses are immense, along with the human rights violations carried out by the dominant class..My question is: What is Mexico doing to stop the egress of so many Mexicans to industrialized countries like the United States, and what is being done to provide the quality of life we want? Greetings and viva Mexico!
Francisco Labastida: The most important commodity Mexico has is its people. When a Mexican leaves we lose the best of what our country has to offer. Emigration happens because of unemployment and lack of opportunities. The solution is to generate more jobs and opportunity, and to encourage equality for all Mexicans. I'm running for president to help create a country with more employment, fairer, with more public safety, with less corruption. I'll bring not only my knowlege of the country but my experience and the talent of the best men and women. My love and heartfelt emotions for Mexico.
Washington, D.C.: What happens if the PRI loses the election on July 2? Will you respect the will of the voters?
Francisco Labastida: I'm running to win. Nine out of every ten polls show me with the advantage; the last one showed a 17 percent margin. I'm campaigning aggressively all over the country to ask for the vote of every Mexican. I'm a man who respects the law and I'll respect the decision of the Mexican people.
Cashmere, Washington: Hello Mr. Labastida: I know that first ladies traditionally contribute to the development and direction of health and social services like the DIF. How would your wife contribute, and what are some of the plans you have and the challenges she'll encounter? Thanks for participating in this forum.
Francisco Labastida: Maria Teresa was an active participant in social and cultural programs in Sinoloa. She defended gender equality, we built homes for children, nursing homes and great cultural centers. She now plans to spend her time helping poor women and children.
Cristobal Garza, Texas: Mr. Labastida: As president, what do you propose to solve the problem in Chiapas?
Francisco Labastida: First we must attack the serious problems of poverty and marginalization. Indigenous communities have fallen behind in education, literacy, employment and income. I'll get to the heart of the problem of poverty, concentrating resources on the poorest areas of the country for education, roads, health, nutrition, and the development of the agriculture and livestock business. Secondly, the solution to the Chiapas conflict has to come through peaceful negotiation. I'll always be willing to dialogue and put together agreements. Just as problems are made between two people, they're solved between two people. I hope that the EZLN will be willing to come up with a solution that will benefit the indigenous peoples as well as the country.
Los Angeles, California: Mr. Labastida: If you're elected president of Mexico, what steps would you take to make sure the technological explosion doesn't leave Mexican citizens behind.
Respectfully,
Javier Gutierrez
Francisco Labastida: I'll bring up the quality of education at all levels. I'll support that all schools, from the primary level, have laboratories for language and computers. By using the most advanced techniques, including the electronic, I'll put greater emphasis on educational opportunities outside the schools. We'll provide educational opportunities to those who left the political system without finishing primary or middle school. We'll toughen qualification standards country-wide. This is one of the projects I'm most excited about.
Albuquerque, NM: What do you have to offer proposals for the agricultural economy do you have to offer that your opponents don't?
Francisco Labastida: I was born in a small village of 15,000 inhabitants that grew into a city of 250 thousand as a result of the construction of a dam that irrigates 200 million hectares. I've understood since childhood the importance of agriculture. I was Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock. I understand the countryside. The countryside is my place. I could go on for hours about problems and solutions. The objective is to have the countryside produce more, but more importantly, to have rural inhabitants living better. I'll support more agricultural and livestock production, but more investment in people, better prices for agricultural output, the reestablishment of credit for rural areas and the technological transformation of the same.
Washington, D.C.: Will you be promoting your campaign in Washington, D.C. as Vicente Fox did last week?
Francisco Labastida: I'm traveling to the U.S. after the elections. I'll be in Washington, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Antonio, among other cities. I'm going to reunite with the Mexican community, with investors, with financiers, and with opinion media leaders. There are 100 days left until the election and I'm concentrating on getting out the vote, in planning a changed course for the country, in talking not just about the "what-ifs" but the "hows", explaining my proposals, listening to people and designing a plan for the country that will reestablish the hope of Mexicans.
Washington, D.C.: What do you think of the free trade agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico? What's the importance of the agreement with regards to workers rights?
Francisco Labastida: The treaty has worked for Mexico, the United States, and Canada, contributing to the fact that bilateral commerce has gone from $88 billion in 1993 to $226 billion last year, which is an increase of close to 150%. Commerce is contributing to economic growth and job creation in both countries.
All three countries have benefitted.
Six years since the signing of the treaty, sales are good. It's time to advance in new areas and attend to new challenges. The frontier zone is growing rapidly. It demands top priority.
I'll work in a cooperative and respectful manner with the Canadian and American governments to insure that TLC works better. We'll make mechanisms to solve the treaty's controversial elements more effective.
The problems of the middle class require more economic resources, workable solutions and better coordination. Protecting the middle class is my top priority.
Economic growth is essential for a better way of life. We must protect the rights of the workers.
Denver, Colorado: Mr. Labastida: How will you fight drug trafficking in Mexico?
Francisco Labastida: Decisively and vigorously, utilizing all instruments at our disposal, working with society. Fighting consumption, which has grown among young people to the north of Mexico. There's nothing more painful than having drugs in their hands instead of books. Wtih better men, better recourse, and better technology. The enemies of villages and nations are narcotrafficking, arms trafficking, terrorism, and money laundering. Governments have to work together efficiently to combat these enemies of the public.
For Mexico this is a priority because there's no greater threat to the health of our young people, and nothing corrupts the police and destroys our values than drug trafficking. The key is fighting corruption.
My hands won't tremble in fighting organized crime.
Dallas, Texas: Dear Mr. Labastida: I wanted to have business dealings in the past with Mexico, and there's always been frustration with regards to devaluations. As a candidate, do you think that this time around there won't be a devaluation? Can one have confidence in Mexico, or is it better to wait...
Francisco Labastida: Don't wait, look objectively at reality and you'll see that it would be good to invest in Mexico. Some data: The maturity of the debt estimated for 2001 is les than 2$ billion. The public financial deficit is close to 1%. The balance of services deficit is less than 3% of PIB, compensated with more than 80% of direct foreign investment. The Bank of Mexico is independent. We have more than $30 billion in reserves. Inflation comes down every year. Growth this year is projected to be 4.5%. There's discipline and stability. With this basis, I will consolidate healthy, stable long term growth in the economy. We're waiting for you in Mexico.
San Francisco, CA: How do you plan to solve the crisis of the public university system in Mexico?
Francisco Labastida: A superior public education system is key to our development. The key to our success is quality. Matriculation into higher education needs to grow, but above all we must aim for quality. This requires more investigation, incorporationg scientific and technological advances and incorporate them into everyday life. We need more interactivity between investigation, teaching and output.
D.F. - Mexico: Corruption may be the biggest problem in Mexico, so how to you plan to combat it since every day we see that you're surrounded by it and it continues in the highest levels of government like Governors and now in the PGR?
Francisco Labastida: I'll combat corruption with determination and through all channels. I publically presented my inheritance declaration and I requested that the President and all high ranking functionaries to do the same. I've proposed measures to combat it, and I'll mention a few: eliminating some government regulations that because of excessive procedures, allow or hinder corruption; eliminating special services in the government, combat impunity, elevate legal penalties for corruption, create a career civil service, and applying the law without distinction. No one outside the law. No one above the law.
washingtonpost.com: Our time's up. Many thanks to Mr. Francisco Labastida, Mexican presidential candidate, for participating in this historic cyberforum, and thanks to all of you who sent questions. Readers are welcome to continue the discussion on our World News Talk: Mexico's Presidential Elections message boards.
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