TWO PROMISING PICKS IN MEXICO

Mexico's President, Ernesto Zedillo, has announced two crucial Cabinet
changes in recent days that encourage hopes for greater democracy and
accountability. He named a new Interior Minister, replacing Emilio
Chuayffet with Francisco Labastida Ochoa. Mr. Chuayffet represented the
worst traditions of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI.
Mr. Zedillo also appointed José Angel Gurría to replace Guillermo Ortíz as
Finance Minister, the Cabinet's top economic position.

Mr. Ortíz did a good job of managing Mexico's recent economic recovery, but
different skills are required now that budgets must be negotiated with an
opposition majority in Congress. Mr. Gurría, who has previously served as
international debt negotiator and most recently as Foreign Minister, is an
astute politician. The new Foreign Minister will be Rosario Green Macías,
the first woman in that post.

The change at Interior was overdue. The ministry plays a central role in
determining whether Mexico's democratic reforms will become a reality. It
coordinates relations with the judiciary, Congress and state governments,
runs an undercover investigation force and indirectly supervises other law
enforcement agencies, including those involved in combating drug
trafficking. It also negotiates with rebel groups like the Zapatistas in
Chiapas.

Under Mr. Chauyffet's leadership, opposition parties in Congress were
treated contemptuously and local PRI officials were allowed to run their
fiefs in unaccountable and sometimes brutal ways. Corruption continued to
plague narcotics enforcement and other police agencies. Negotiations in
Chiapas were neglected, feeding the climate that led to the Christmas week
massacre of 45 Indian peasants.

Mr. Zedillo has given Mr. Labastida a strong mandate to revive dialogue in
Chiapas. How well he succeeds there will largely define his tenure and Mr.
Zedillo's reputation as a democratic reformer as well. The most urgent task
is fully investigating the Chiapas massacre, where preliminary findings
implicate local PRI officials. Mr. Zedillo, Mr. Labastida and Attorney
General Jorge Madrazo must bring the guilty to justice, whatever their
political affiliations.