'Bush pressured me'
www.news24.com 13/03/2003 12:31 - (SA)
Mexico City - President Vicente Fox told reporters from his hospital bed after a spinal operation that US President George Bush tried to "insistently convince" him of the US view on Iraq, but that Mexico had not taken a decision yet.
Fox, who underwent surgery early on Wednesday for a slipped disk, said he was "somewhat" under pressure on the Iraqi issue, and had received calls from several countries, including Singapore, Japan, Colombia and Venezuela.
"Some are choosing one of the alternatives, while others are giving a lot of support to our efforts towards peace."
Bush was "very polite", Fox told television reporters in a telephone interview late on Wednesday. "Of course he defends his point of view and tries to insistently convince, but we have responded with firmness and sovereignty."
Fox refused to say how Mexico will vote in the UN security council for a US-British-Spanish draft resolution authorising the use of military force unless Iraq satisfies the world that it has disarmed by March 17.
Mexico is one of six undecided security council members whose votes could make or break the measure. Press reports here suggest that it is leaning towards a "no" vote. According to surveys, 70% of Mexicans oppose a US-led war on Iraq.
Fox stressed Mexico's choice on Iraq would be "more of a decision by the state rather than a personal one", adding that his government was strongly in favour "of peace and seeking peaceful solutions to conflicts through dialogue".
Asked if it was difficult to say "no" to Bush, Fox said: "Quite frankly, no, because we've built a friendship and a relationship that's different; its based on seriousness, on political maturity and the knowledge that we're neighbours, friends, partners, and also that we have to speak the truth to each other."
Fox said he did not expect any retaliation from the United States regardless how Mexico votes in the security council.
Fox, 60, who was to remain in the hospital for at least three days, delegated foreign secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez to lead Mexico's diplomatic representation at the United Nations.