BACKTRACKING ON MEXICO

Presidents Vicente Fox and George W. Bush both took office two years ago
promising to forge a new partnership bridging the Rio Grande, one marked by
a once-unimaginable level of cooperation on a number of fronts. It hasn't
happened, and as a result Mexico's enlightened foreign minister, Jorge
Castaneda, has resigned.

The centerpiece of the new relationship was to have been a new accord on
immigration. That encountered early resistance on Capitol Hill, and the
terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, rearranged the White House's
priorities. Washington has since failed to recognize that an immigration
deal that serves American economic needs and diminishes the population
living illegally in this country can be compatible with heightened security.

The White House's neglect has proved to be politically damaging to Mr.
Fox's administration. The Mexican government had to overcome widespread
public skepticism, and concerns about surrendering national sovereignty, to
sell the idea of a new understanding with the neighboring superpower. Mr.
Castaneda was the most outspoken advocate of closer ties with the United
States. His frustration over the stalemate in the relationship contributed
to his decision to resign.

Mr. Castaneda worked tirelessly to promote an immigration deal and closer
cooperation in fighting drug trafficking and on other law enforcement
matters. He ended Mexico's tradition of warm ties with Cuba in order to
back American denunciations of Fidel Castro's human rights record.

Beyond its failure to deliver on immigration, the Bush administration
largely missed an opportunity to collaborate with Mexico and Latin
democracies in dealing with a number of thorny hemispheric matters, most
notably the crisis in Venezuela.

Angry calls by Mexican farmers in recent weeks for their government to
renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement in response to the
ill-advised agricultural subsidies passed by Congress last summer would
serve no one's interest, as Mr. Castaneda has pointed out. But they are
indicative of a broader disenchantment with the United States that cuts
across Mexican society. The Bush administration should take note of Mr.
Castaneda's frustration, and seek to improve ties with our neighbor to the
south.