By Mark Stevenson
Associated Press
http://www.arizonarepublic.com/news/articles/0703mexico-fox03.html
July 03, 2002

MEXICO CITY - Two years after he ousted one of the longest-ruling political machines in modern history, President Vicente Fox said the fruits of the country's strengthened democracy consist largely of democracy itself.

With an economy in recession, most of his proposals held up in Congress and a series of minor but embarrassing missteps behind him, Fox touted his administration's openness and commitment to law on Tuesday.

"I have not lost a single one of my dreams," Fox told supporters. "I feel just as enthusiastic, just as vigorous, just as young and strong as I did on July 2 two years ago."

During a celebration at the Mexico City headquarters of his conservative National Action Party, mariachis serenaded Fox on the anniversary of his 2000 victory and on his 60th birthday.

Speaking on a special radio program with Fox, Interior Secretary Santiago Creel said the president views his lack of control over Congress as a sign of his victory over the Institutional Revolutionary Party, the PRI. For most of its 71 years in power, the PRI's presidents dominated the legislature.

Fox's proposals to reform tax and labor laws, and to partially privatize the electricity industry, have languished in Congress.

"I am very much aware that people voted for a change, and they feel impatient," Fox said, acknowledging that gaining a consensus around his plans is "a goal we have still not met."

As achievements, he cited the opening of secret government records and investigation of past political crimes, a drive against corruption and the capture of some of Mexico's biggest drug traffickers.

But in the radio program, his advisers continued the technical, business-oriented tone of his administration, using terms such as "re-engineering" government and achieving "total quality," phrases that leave many Mexicans cool, if not confused.

"They talk about keeping deficits and inflation low, but people can't eat that," said Sen. Jesus Ortega of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party. "People eat with jobs and wages."

The big issue, change - the word itself was Fox's campaign slogan - has yet to come, most Mexicans say.

Fifty-one percent of those interviewed said no change had occurred, while 36 percent said change had been for the better, and 11 percent for the worse, since Fox took office in December 2000, according to a poll by the newspaper Reforma carried out in late May.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.