|
Barnard Thompson, principal of MIRA Associates, has been a United States-Mexico consultant since the 1970s, enjoying a fine reputation for his work ethic, professionalism and rate of success. So when he called, I was happy to hear from him.
Would I like to join him, Thompson asked, and a few others in a private meeting with Lic. Humberto Roque Villanueva, who is one of the four candidates seeking the PRI's presidential nomination. Roque is a dark horse but not to be dismissed. He has been one of the ablest political figures in Mexico for many years. Among his high ranking posts has been head of the PRI party, no small thing in Mexico.
The idea was to listen to his ideas and visions for Mexico, and have an opportunity to discuss issues that could affect the San Diego region. Needless to say, I accepted the kind invitation.
On Oct. 15, Thompson took Robert Fletcher, president of the San Diego based Sportfishing Association of California, Wayne Linquist, deputy director of the Port of San Diego, Leticia Ramirez, director of international services for Alvarado Hospital Medical Center, and me to meet with Lic. Roque and his wife, a doctor of dental surgery.
"How do you see your chances of winning the nomination?" was among the questions. Roque says his party members will be able to distinguish show from substance. He told us that in a recent public forum with his three opponents, attended by more than 900 party loyalists who were asked to vote electronically for the candidate whose visions and arguments made the most sense, he won handily.
Of immediate regional economic interest is the question posed by Robert Fletcher about the future of San Diego’s sportfishing industry.
The La Jolla-based Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission has mandated the temporary closure of yellowfin tuna fishing in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. While the measure properly seeks to protect the species from overexploitation by commercial fishing purse seiner and bait boats, Mexico's Secretariat of Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries has included sportfishing in the lot. Everyone agrees the size of the sport catch is insignificant, and in order to foster tourism, the intent of the IATTC is not to close the area to sportfishing.
Where does Lic. Roque stand on this issue? He notes that when he held the secretariat he helped the San Diego sportfishing industry by removing bureaucratic impediments, which at the time were hurting the industry. He supports protecting yellowfin from overfishing by commercial means, but he does not agree with the interpretation that it includes sportfishing. If elected, he would support the sport fishing industry.
Wayne Linquist asked about Mexico's ongoing privatization program of its ports, airports, and, in particular, its energy industry. San Diego’s Sempra already has successfully competed to distribute natural gas in areas of Baja California and is, like many others, anxious about Mexico's energy privatization plans. Roque believes Mexico has little choice but to implement some or total privatization because of its present and growing energy needs and lack of capital to go it alone. For starters, he would recommend privatizing generating power plants but allowing electrical distribution to continue as is.
Leticia Ramirez's comments regarding the binational work being done by Alvarado Hospital's Tenet health System, Sharp Hospitals, Scripps and others was of special interest to Roque's wife. She asked Leticia a number of questions, congratulating her and wishing for a continuation of her efforts.
I asked about casino gaming. Is it going to be approved by the Chamber of Deputies and senate? Roque suggested that for the present neither would touch the issue, because of opposition from the Catholic Church and the coming presidential elections. After the new administration took office, a substantive debate would be in order. But he made no predictions on the outcome.
Since 1997, when the PRI lost its majority hold on the Chamber of Deputies, lobbying has become an emerging industry. Barnard Thompson is arguably the most prominent American qualified in this new industry. This tidbit is important, because Thompson knows most (if not all) of the major political players in Mexico, and who is for or against the casino proposal, among other things.
How is this important to San Diego? It seems politicos have shared with Thompson that since a meeting in 1996, representatives of Indian casinos have been looking at possible joint ventures and/or partnerships in Mexico. Both San Diego’s Barona and Viejas bands are included. In addition, Viejas is scheduled to operate the Commodore Cruise Line's casino, planned to operate between San Diego and Rosarito Beach.
As can be seen, San Diego does have a stake in who wins the presidency in Mexico. Now, how do we get it across to Thompson to use his influence to get the other candidates here for a similar visit?
Patrick Osio Jr. can be reached by e-mail at posiojr@aol.com.
|
