Mexican president focuses on economic development — not immigration

Mexican President Vicente Fox focused on economic development at the first official engagement during his 24-hour visit to Utah, making no reference to the most pressing issue between his country and the United States — immigration.

Fox spoke in English to an audience of some 500 invited guests gathered at the Little America Hotel, describing the strength of both democracy and the economy in Mexico as well as the country's relationship with Utah.

"Never before have we in Mexico lived in a climate of freedom as we do now," the Mexican president said, generating laughter when he said that "could be confirmed in any Mexican newspaper."

Mexico also enjoys "solid economic stability," Fox said, and cited numerous statistics including the creation of 350,000 new jobs in just the first quarter of this year. Foreign trade, he said, totals $435 billion in imports and exports.

Fox and a huge delegation exited the white Fuera Aerea Mexicana jet with green and red stripes at about 12:30 p.m. at the Million Air terminal east of Salt Lake City International Airport. Heavy security surrounded Fox's arrival, including Secret Service, Salt Lake City Police, the Utah Highway Patrol and at least one law enforcement officer on a roof holding an M-4 rifle.

Fox didn't speak to reporters but he did talk briefly with West Valley resident Ronaldo Luzanilla and his Little League baseball team and posed for photographs before leaving with in a 12-vehicle motorcade for an afternoon that included lunch at Little America, private meetings and a visit to the Utah Cultural Center in West Valley City.

Luzanilla rates his meeting the president as one of the highlights of his life.

"This is history," Luzanilla said through a translator.

Fox also visits Washington state and California this week as the U.S. Senate considers legislation to strengthen border security, authorize new guest-worker programs and give an eventual chance at citizenship to most of the estimated 12 million people already living illegally in the United States.

Fox's delegation was greeted by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and first lady Mary Kaye Huntsman, along with other local leaders. The governor spoke with media just before Fox's arrival about what the Mexican president's visit means to Utah.

"I think it means that Utah is increasingly relevant for people who are looking to improve economic links, to improve travel and tourism links, to improve cultural links — I think this says something very good about our state," Huntsman said.