A Shining Tour for Clinton, but Big Problems Remain

Measured in terms of diplomacy and political showmanship, President Clinton’s belated first trip to Latin America was a solid success. But we should not be too relaxed, for no single performance, however professional, can assure a smooth road for the United States and Mexico and the other countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Sore points in the complex and intense relationships can flare at a moment’s notice, and the goodwill that was evident in last week’s multi-country trip can lose its luster before improved relations can be built upon it.

The President and Mrs. Clinton performed their parts to perfection on the five-day movable feast, mending some fences, playing to the crowds. The president presented his ideas on key topics like trade, illicit drugs and immigration, important issues at every stop. None of this promised to raise Latin America’s profile in Washington’s foreign policy, but it was useful to both sides.

In Mexico, Clinton gave a boost to a relationship that had been going downhill for at least three years. He spoke of the things that neighbors must address: trade, immigration, crime and interdependence. Alas, the positive feeling may last only until the next border incident or political scandal sends the relationship reeling again. That’s how it is between neighbors, especially when there are points to be made in national politics on both sides.

Clinton and Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo made ringing speeches and signed thoughtful documents many months in the making. Take for example the so-called Declaration of the Mexican/U.S. Alliance Against Drugs. The document spells out the danger that drugs pose to both societies in terms of corruption, addiction, crime and violence. These were good, strong words. But words come easily, achievements less so. Breakthrough action is needed: the arrest of Mexican drug lords like Amado Carrillo or the infamous Arellano brothers of Baja California, for instance.

Another big help would be the elimination of Washington’s ill-chosen annual drug-trafficking certification process, which ties bilateral relations and specific programs to a nation’s progress in the drug war. Practical help, not diplomatic censure, is what is needed. The drug economy is a three-legged stool: growers, traffickers and users--and most of the users live in American cities and towns. Full acknowledgment of this by U.S. politicians would be a step toward defeat of the menace.

Regarding immigration issues, the Clinton message was the same in both Mexico and Central America. The United States is a country of immigrants but it is also a country of laws. And the law, the president emphasized, applies to all. Almost 900,000 foreigners immigrated legally to the United States last year, and they should be welcomed. But Clinton stressed again that the U.S. government will do all it can to prevent illegal immigration.

In a speech in San Jose, Costa Rica, Clinton mentioned he was aware of the potential for destabilization that a mass deportation of illegal residents could have on the economies of Mexico and Central America and promised that none would be ordered.

Along with immigration and drug trafficking, trade was a major topic of the five-day trip. Clinton, a supporter of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada in his 1991 presidential campaign, remains positive on the long-term outlook. Bilateral trade with Mexico alone has increased 60% since NAFTA was established. Organized labor in the United States remains opposed, and that factor may diminish general enthusiasm for an even wider NAFTA.

This presidential tour leaves us with memories of the 1994 Miami Summit and its promises of cooperation and a hemispheric free trade agreement starting with Chile in 1995. But then came the Mexican peso crisis, Clinton’s attention turned to reelection politics and none of the grand promises made in Miami came to pass. No doubt the Miami summit overreached. Latin American presidents were disappointed. A second Summit of the Americas will be held in Santiago, Chile, next year. Progress may come then, but the experience of these recent years should prevent high expectations.