FOX WORKS TO KEEP FAITH IN HIM ALIVE

Address Today May Emphasize Fiscal Successes

MEXICO CITY - President Vicente Fox seemed unstoppable two years ago when
he toppled Mexico's authoritarian political machine. He boasted he could
end a seven-year rebel conflict in 15 minutes, root out endemic corruption
and modernize poor farming villages.

But the energetic leader with a 6-foot-5 frame has been humbled, admitting
he may have set hopes too high. As he prepares for his state-of-the-nation
address today, he is telling Mexicans that building a democracy takes time.

"The first stage had a lot to do with fixing and mending, correcting and
organizing ourselves to be able to do the job," Fox said last week. "We
were very busy in that part of the equation and maybe that's why many are
asking: What is the government doing?"

Indeed, the once wildly popular leader, whose shocker of an election on
July 2, 2000, ended 71 years of single-party rule, is struggling to keep
people's faith in him alive.

"Mexico is restless," said Maria Teresa Ramirez, 48. "People are worried. A
lot are asking, 'What is going to happen?' "

Fox's slow progress has reasons beyond his control. The Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks sent Mexico tumbling down Washington's priority list and sidelined
his top priority: a major agreement that would allow more legal migration
to the United States.

But critics say much of the blame lies in the former Coca-Cola manager, who
they say has shown himself to be more of a businessman than a politician.

Many say Fox, who has visited 27 countries as president, has traveled too
much and left matters unattended at home. Lawmakers say his marketing
prowess hides a lack of political savvy, and complain that he announces his
proposals to journalists before going to them.

Fox has also lacked focus, addressing domestic issues as if they were "the
flavor of the month," jumping from one to the other without getting major
results, said George Grayson, a Mexico expert at the College of William &
Mary in Williamsburg, Va.

Fox began strong, scoring a major political victory on his first day in
office by bringing to the negotiating table a band of rebels who had
frustrated his predecessor for six years.

But the glory was short-lived. Leftist Zapatista rebels, who led a brief
uprising in 1994 in Chiapas state, quickly cut off talks after the Mexican
Congress - against Fox's wishes - passed a watered-down Indian rights bill.

The elusive ski-masked guerrilla fighters retreated to the jungle, and Fox
moved on to other matters.

Analysts expect Fox today to highlight his successes at bringing down major
drug smugglers, and at keeping the economy afloat despite a U.S. recession
that hurt Mexico's economy more than any other.

Inflation is at record lows and the peso is as strong today as when Fox
took office, although the country has lost tens of thousands of jobs.

Mexico's legislature, courts and elections board have become more
independent and Fox has given the public more access to government
information, made elected officials more accountable and opened secret
government files.

But he has only just begun to address his biggest obstacle - an often
hostile Mexican congress that has blocked his initiatives and even stopped
him from taking a trip to the United States.

Meanwhile, ordinary Mexicans want to see the change they voted for.

"We don't want to hear another politician say how he's done so much," said
Artemio Ochoa, 56, sweeping a sidewalk in Mexico City. "We just want him to
tell us the truth."