The comical image of Fox warning the Clinton Administration to stay out
of Mexico"s affairs, is an indicator of how bizarre the reporting is on
both sides of the border,  regarding the upcoming Mexican elections.

The only way that Fox could be where he is in the polls today, is due to
precisely the intervention that the Clinton Administration has already
done to tilt the election toward a Fox victory.     In fact, the entire
purpose of the Fox visit to Washington,  is to firm up the continuing
plan to smoothly dethrone the PRI in July.

The Mexican army is on board, the Mexican businesss community is on
board, Zedillo is on board,  and George Bush will also firm up the
bipartisan support for the transfer of power, when he visits Mexico
sometime in the weeks ahead (as reported by Excelsior that this trip is
being planned).
................................Tony Abdo
03/21/2000
By David LaGesse / The Dallas Morning News

WASHINGTON - Mexican presidential candidate Vicente Fox appeared to make
a good impression Monday on U.S. officials and analysts - but made news
back home by discussing secret meetings he'd had with Mexican army
generals.

On a two-day swing to Washington, the leading opposition candidate in
Mexico's presidential campaign held a series of meetings with Clinton
administration officials. One described the encounters as "leaving the
impression he is informed and thoughtful - a credible candidate."
The visit was part of a long-running campaign on both sides of the
border for Mr. Fox, the candidate of the opposition National Action
Party, or PAN.

Analysts say Mr. Fox was preceded by a reputation of being outspoken and
impulsive. "In our meeting, at least, he answered questions in a serious
and articulate manner," said Bill Price, vice president of the Council
of the Americas, where Mr. Fox met privately with a group of business
and policy leaders.

"I expect on the stump that he's a little more outspoken," Mr. Price
said.
But Mr. Fox spiced up a morning public appearance by describing how he'd
sought the views of Mexican generals who by law are forbidden to meet
with Mexico's presidential candidates.

"Five of them met with us secretly," he said at a breakfast gathering on
Capitol Hill.

He said the generals assured him that they would respect the outcome of
the election and that the army was willing to withdraw from Chiapas if
"serious negotiations" began with insurgents in the troubled southern
state.

The comments quickly became prominent news in Mexico, where any
discussions of the army and Chiapas draw controversy.
It was a turn that left some analysts bewildered as they wondered why
Mr. Fox would risk overwhelming the bilateral agenda of his trip.

In an interview, Mr. Fox said he came to Washington with several
messages - including a warning to the Clinton administration to stay out
of Mexico's politics.

"The United States should not be intervening in the electoral process,"
he said.

The administration earned his suspicion, he said, with a well-publicized
phone call last fall in which President Clinton lauded the first-ever
presidential primary held by the ruling Institutional Revolutionary
Party, or PRI.

"That seems evidence" of a bias in the administration, Mr. Fox said
Monday.
Mr. Fox's trip to Washington is seen in Mexico as an integral part of
his overall campaign strategy to convince people that he can win.

Having garnered about 30 percent of Mexican voters in opinion polls, Mr.
Fox is now trying to convince elite groups in Mexico and in the United
States that he also represents safe change.

His comments that he quietly met with the Mexican military plays into
Mr. Fox's assertion that Washington need not worry about chaos in Mexico
should he win the July 2 presidential election. The PRI has held power
in Mexico since its founding 71 years ago.

"He needs to look presidential,' said one Mexico City observer. "It's
fundamental for his strategy.

Staff writer Alfredo Corchado in Mexico City contributed to this report.