BUSH'S GOOD-NEIGHBOR GESTURE

For his first foreign jaunt, President Bush is picking familiar
territory: Mexico. As Texas governor, he met often with Mexican leaders
and developed close ties that made his state a huge beneficiary of
growing trade.

The February 16 trip should showcase Bush as an international diplomat
in comfortable surrounding as he eases into a new role as world leader.
Bet it would a waste if the meeting with Mexico's dynamic leader Vicente
Fox turned out to be only a photo-op.

Mexico seeks more than a handshake summit. Fox wants to get into the
tough issues: a rising death rate along the border as Mexican immigrants
risk their lives to slip into the United States, a need for foreign
investment to fuel his overhaul of Mexico's economy and more details on
his long-term goal of a more open border.

Bush has a strong role to play too. The economics of the two countries
are intertwined as never before because of the NAFTA trade pact. Also,
Bush should keep up the pressure on drug corruption, which continues
despite Fox's announced crackdown.

There is too much a stake for both countries to let this meeting become
a no-news event. Each leader needs the other to settle vital issues.