CALDERON FOCUSES AGENDA ON PUBLIC SECURITY, JOB

UNCLAS MEXICO 005991 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV MX SUBJECT: CALDERON FOCUSES AGENDA ON PUBLIC SECURITY, JOB CREATION, AND POVERTY REDUCTION ¶1. (SBU) Begin summary: Since the confirmation of his victory by the Federal Electoral Tribunal, President-elect Felipe Calderon has been engaged in the substantive development of his agenda. This agenda comprises a two-track approach, which includes his shorter-term legislative agenda, presented on September 28, and his longer-term "Mexico 2030" project, publicly introduced on October 10 and designed to be a series of thematic forums to elaborate over time on the constitutionally-mandated National Development Plan. Like his legislative agenda, the Mexico 2030 project prioritizes public security, job creation, and poverty reduction. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Calderon appointed former senator and Guanajuato governor Carlos Medina Plascencia to head the Mexico 2030 project, which aims to use citizen forums and workshops to gather proposals leading to a long-term development plan. The project has five major themes: Rule of Law and Public Security, including Justice Reform; Competitiveness and Job Creation; Equal Opportunities; Sustainable Development; and Effective Democracy and Responsible Foreign Policy. At the inauguration of the project in Monterrey on October 12, Calderon stated that his most important commitment as President-elect is to promote Mexican unity, and he focused on justice and public security as critical areas demanding immediate attention. Calderon has named experts to head each of the project's five theme areas, and has also asked cabinet secretaries to make proposals that could improve both the SIPDIS project's vision and his legislative agenda. ¶3. (SBU) There are as of yet few specifics proposals regarding the Mexico 2030 project. In the public security area, Calderon has discussed the creation of a unified criminal information system to be shared by federal, state, and municipal authorities. The press has also reported that Calderon's transition team is planning the formation of a single federal police force to include the Federal Preventive Police (PFP),the Federal Investigative Agency (AFI),and the Fiscal Police, with the aim of strengthening the GOM's capacity to fight organized crime in Mexico. Both of these proposals were key elements of Calderon's campaign platform. In the economic area, Calderon has emphasized infrastructure development and increased competitiveness in order to create jobs. Reaching out to the poor, disenfranchised population of Mexico which formed the core base of support for failed presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Calderon has pledged to focus on sustainable development, aspiring to raise Mexico's per capita income to $30,000 by 2030 and ensure equal opportunities for all Mexicans to health care, education, and jobs. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: Calderon has presented two ambitious agendas that focus on public security, job creation, and poverty alleviation. His Mexico 2030 Project complements his legislative agenda and seeks to unite the country's politically divided communities. However, it doesn't yet have teeth. In launching this initiative, Calderon is signaling his desire to achieve not just legislative agreement on Mexico's priorities, but also a broader public consensus. It will be some time before we can assess the significance of the Mexico 2030 project and Calderon's effectiveness in bringing Mexican voices together behind his reform initiatives. So far, he appears to be saying the right things, but he has a long road to travel. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity GARZA