'IT'S A PITY THAT THE PRESIDENT OF GRINGOLAND IS IN THE
WASHINGTON CROSS HAIRS AS HE'S A DEMOCRAT AND HE'S
BARACK OBAMA ... AS FOR BUSH, FOR EIGHT YEARS WE HAD
'WELCOMING MATERIAL' WAITING FOR HIM ... BUT NOW WE
HAVE TO THROW IT IN THE TRASH.'
[La Jornada,Mexico]
La Jornada, Mexico
U.S.-Mexico Ties:
A
New Beginning?
"In
regard to respect - if not humility - there is at least a moderation of the
traditional imperial arrogance that has characterized the speech of the White
House in regard to the continent to its south … but it wouldn't be prudent to
assume that we're on the eve of a radical and important transformation."
EDITORIAL
Translated By Miguel
Gutierrez
April 17, 2009
Mexico - La Jornada
- Original Article (Spanish)
The visit to our country by
the president of the United States, Barack Obama, permitted us to consider the actual
state of bilateral relations between Mexico and our neighbor to the north - as
well as the potential and inexorable limits to plans for a renewal of relations.
In the first
place, it's clear that the recent turnover of presidents in Washington has injected
new attitudes, not just into its policy agenda toward Mexico, but into our
neighbor's other fields of endeavor. In the area of cooperation with our country
and the rest of Latin America, there is a new tone of multilateralism, and in
regard to respect - if not humility - there is at least a moderation of the
traditional imperial arrogance that has characterized the speech of the White
House in regard to the continent to its south.
Unlike his predecessor, Obama
partly admits to the responsibility of United States in the development of narco-trafficking and the uncontrolled violence that
plagues Mexican territory. He also recognizes the economic, political, social
and strategic importance of our country to his own, and suggests that we work
together on these and other matters.
Beyond relations
with Mexico, on the continental level, it's clear that the Obama Administration
wants to alter the aggressive and irrational attitudes that until recently were
regarded as immutable, such as the set of economic measures imposed on the
Cuban people which together are known as "the embargo" or "the
blockade."
But returning to
the bilateral agenda, it should be noted that the change in discourse alone is
comforting, and it's even plausible that it could trigger new attitudes in
the U.S. political class. However, many of the steps being proposed, such as
the oft-repeated idea that the two governments establish a respectful and
coordinated basis for confronting and defeating groups dedicated to trafficking
drugs, weapons and capital across the border, will require a common political
will that is not only shared, but is deep, cleansing and transformative - for
government structures and administrative practices in both nations.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
Cuban dictator Raul Castro has responded to U.S. overtures
by saying Cuba is willing to discuss anything and everything
with the U.S. - as long as talks come 'without precondition'
in a spirit of equality.
CLICK
PHOTO OR CLICK
HERE TO WATCH FROM BBC 
Given this reality,
it's clear that the changes promised by Obama are largely still
pending; that the foreign policy of the United States is almost as neocolonial,
predatory and unilateral as it has always been; and that the democratic
transition that Mexico has attempted has taken the form, for the most part, of
a recomposition of the old political system that, despite dates and
appearances, remains faithful to the worst corporate practices and is as
undemocratic and corrupt as ever. An example of this intolerant method of
exercising public power was the exclusion of several legislative leaders from
the dinner in Obama's honor held last night, which was not only grossly
incompatible with the most elementary forms of republicanism, but was a grave
sign of disrespect to the legislative branch.
From this point
of view, it's hard to see how the two governments can move toward a new kind of
relationship if such pretentions persist on both sides. Such is the case with
the idea of battling organized crime without pointing a finger at the guilty.
This is just what occurred when in the context of her visit to Mexico, U.S.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano expressed the hope of stronger
bilateral ties, when what is required, first of all, is to make relations less unfair
in every respect. Another case are the repeated statements about the need to
make progress on integrating the two economies without any mention that first, what
is needed is a reduction in the asymmetries between them, which, more out of
necessity than goodwill, is something that has been occurring with the European
Union.
To sum up, then,
the good intentions expressed yesterday may induce some positive change within
the bilateral framework, but it wouldn't be prudent to assume that we're on the
eve of a radical and important transformation, because national realities don’t
support such expectations.
SEE ALSO ON THIS:
Granma, Cuba:
Castro: Easing of Cuba Restrictions 'Positive', But Not Nearly Enough
El Espectador, Colombia:
Cuba in Obama's Sights
Merco Press, Uruguay:
Lula Vows Not to Embarrass Obama Over Cuba Embargo
El Universal, Venezuela:
Of Obama and Chavez: 'Unconditional' Meetings and 'Equal' Treatment
El Caribe, Dominican Republic:
Obama's Task at Summit of the Americas: R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Gazeta, Russia:
Castro and Chavez Split Over Obama
Semana, Colombia:
Around the World, Politicians Have Learned from Nixon
Tal Cual, Venezuela:
Crimes of Hugo Chavez Worse than Richard Nixon's
CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH VERSION
[Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US April 17, 7:09pm]
