U.S., Canada, Mexico leaders announce pact
By Judy Keen, USA TODAY
President Bush and the leaders of Canada and Mexico pledged Wednesday to work together in what Bush called "a spirit of partnership to outlast whatever politics may occur."
After meeting here, Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and Mexican President Vicente Fox set a 90-day deadline for their governments to identify ways to streamline border crossings, increase security and make it easier for companies in each country to do business in the others.
"Today we begin a new phase," Fox said at a news conference. "We are in a world that is constantly changing, and that demands that we meet the new challenges and opportunities."
The leaders' commitment to collaboration on an array of economic and security issues was meant to show that they are putting their disputes behind them.
Mexico and Canada opposed the war with Iraq and refused to contribute troops. Fox has said he's disappointed that Bush's proposal in 2001 for a guest worker program for Mexicans has not been enacted by Congress, and he has criticized walls being built along the border.
Martin declined to help develop or pay for a U.S. missile-defense system now being tested. He has expressed impatience with high tariffs on U.S. imports of some types of lumber and a U.S. ban on imports of cattle from Canada because of concerns about mad cow disease.
The leaders downplayed their disagreements but didn't deny them. "Are there differences of opinion? Of course," Martin said. He brought up his frustration on cattle sales and said "the file is closed" on Canada's role in the missile shield.
"I understand why people disagree with certain decisions I have made," Bush said. "Just because somebody doesn't agree ... doesn't mean that we can't continue to have very positive relationships."
Support in Congress for Bush's guest worker program declined after 9/11. He said he's still committed to it, but "there's some million people a day crossing the border from Mexico to the United States, which presents a common issue, and that is how do we make sure those crossing the border are not terrorists or drug runners or gun runners or smugglers?"
After their formal meeting in Waco, Bush hosted Fox and Martin at his ranch in Crawford for a tour and a lunch of grilled chicken and fried shrimp. He has invited only close allies to the ranch, so the invitation was a gesture of reconciliation. Fox canceled a ranch visit in 2002 after Texas executed a Mexican convicted of murder.
Under a new partnership agreement, the leaders said they will collaborate on:
• Improving procedures to screen visitors and cargo as they leave their countries and when they arrive in the USA, Canada or Mexico.
• Preventing and responding to threats to public health and the food supply, including terrorist action and disease.
• Expanding security at ports and airports and increasing the sharing of intelligence.
• Developing technology to ease the flow of people and cargo across borders.
• Standardizing regulations and product testing requirements to make it easier for companies to operate in all three countries.
• Improving transportation by expanding air service agreements, increasing airspace capacity for commercial airlines and sharing planning for road projects.
• Expanding electronic access to each country's stock exchanges.
• Improving the environment by reducing sulfur in fuels, conserving habitats for wildlife and coordinating management of ocean fishing.
Bush will spend the rest of the week and the Easter holiday at his ranch. He plans to return to Washington on Monday.
By Judy Keen, USA TODAY
President Bush and the leaders of Canada and Mexico pledged Wednesday to work together in what Bush called "a spirit of partnership to outlast whatever politics may occur."
After meeting here, Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and Mexican President Vicente Fox set a 90-day deadline for their governments to identify ways to streamline border crossings, increase security and make it easier for companies in each country to do business in the others.
"Today we begin a new phase," Fox said at a news conference. "We are in a world that is constantly changing, and that demands that we meet the new challenges and opportunities."
The leaders' commitment to collaboration on an array of economic and security issues was meant to show that they are putting their disputes behind them.
Mexico and Canada opposed the war with Iraq and refused to contribute troops. Fox has said he's disappointed that Bush's proposal in 2001 for a guest worker program for Mexicans has not been enacted by Congress, and he has criticized walls being built along the border.
Martin declined to help develop or pay for a U.S. missile-defense system now being tested. He has expressed impatience with high tariffs on U.S. imports of some types of lumber and a U.S. ban on imports of cattle from Canada because of concerns about mad cow disease.
The leaders downplayed their disagreements but didn't deny them. "Are there differences of opinion? Of course," Martin said. He brought up his frustration on cattle sales and said "the file is closed" on Canada's role in the missile shield.
"I understand why people disagree with certain decisions I have made," Bush said. "Just because somebody doesn't agree ... doesn't mean that we can't continue to have very positive relationships."
Support in Congress for Bush's guest worker program declined after 9/11. He said he's still committed to it, but "there's some million people a day crossing the border from Mexico to the United States, which presents a common issue, and that is how do we make sure those crossing the border are not terrorists or drug runners or gun runners or smugglers?"
After their formal meeting in Waco, Bush hosted Fox and Martin at his ranch in Crawford for a tour and a lunch of grilled chicken and fried shrimp. He has invited only close allies to the ranch, so the invitation was a gesture of reconciliation. Fox canceled a ranch visit in 2002 after Texas executed a Mexican convicted of murder.
Under a new partnership agreement, the leaders said they will collaborate on:
• Improving procedures to screen visitors and cargo as they leave their countries and when they arrive in the USA, Canada or Mexico.
• Preventing and responding to threats to public health and the food supply, including terrorist action and disease.
• Expanding security at ports and airports and increasing the sharing of intelligence.
• Developing technology to ease the flow of people and cargo across borders.
• Standardizing regulations and product testing requirements to make it easier for companies to operate in all three countries.
• Improving transportation by expanding air service agreements, increasing airspace capacity for commercial airlines and sharing planning for road projects.
• Expanding electronic access to each country's stock exchanges.
• Improving the environment by reducing sulfur in fuels, conserving habitats for wildlife and coordinating management of ocean fishing.
Bush will spend the rest of the week and the Easter holiday at his ranch. He plans to return to Washington on Monday.
