It is not a state visit because he is not yet head of
state, but on Friday President-elect of Mexico Vincente
Fox will pay a brief visit to Belize. Details of the
four-hour tour have not yet been released, but it is
believed that the trip will be confined to Belize City
where Fox will meet with Prime Minister Musa and that
the Mexican President will bring a small delegation of
business people. Departing President Ernesto Zedillo
made a similar visit six years ago prior to his
inauguration.
From CH5TV

Musa looks to deepen relationship with Mexico

His election marked the greatest shift in the modern political history
of Mexico. And in the honeymoon period between his election on July
second and inauguration on December first, Mexican president-elect
Vicente Fox will be getting a feel for the difference between being a
leader of the opposition and the head of one of the region's most
powerful states. His four hour stopover in Belize marked a tentative
foray into the world of diplomacy...and while his Marlboro man good
looks, presidential bearing and better than passable command of the
English language combined to produce an impressive appearance, it was
with an acute sense of anticipation that an energetic group of Mexican
and Belizean journalists waited to see if there was any steak behind the
sizzle. For his part, Prime Minister Said Musa, not surprisingly,
adhered to the old adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."


Prime Minister Said Musa
"Since 1848, when Mexico sent it's first consul to Belize, our two
countries, Belize and Mexico, have enjoyed unbroken and ever growing
relations based on mutual respect for each other's sovereignty. Belize
is honoured to be the first Central American country to be visited by
President-elect Fox, and we view it both as a sign of Mexico's
commitment to the strengthening of relations for the mutual benefit of
our peoples and also as a clear manifestation of Mexico's continued
support and respect for Belize's sovereignty and territorial
integrity."


"Belize views positively, President-elect Fox's plan to place new
emphasis on border issues and looks forward to working with the new
government to improve cooperation on our shared border, to fighting
organised crime and narco-trafficking, and making our nations more
secure and safer for our citizens in a clean and healthy environment.
Mr. President-elect's expectations are very high and there is the
feeling of a new beginning in Mexico. The challenges will be
innumerable, but we are confident that you President-elect Fox and your
new government will work tirelessly to fulfill its commitment to the
good people of Mexico. Mexico can count on the support of it's small
neighbour to the south, as together we embrace the challenges and
opportunities that lie ahead. Working together as good neighbours
should, we can help each other to be successful in putting people at the
forefront of development and in ensuring that our policies at all times
are aimed at improving the quality of life for all our citizens."

[This message has been edited by Marty (edited 08-19-2000).]