What this Reuters news item leaves unsaid, is that Zedillo presided over the privatization of a national treasure, and asset, the Mexican state run railroad system. Once extensively used by Mexico's poor for basic transportation at an affordable price, line after line is being abandoned, or already has been. Most lines that don't turn an immediate lucrative profit, are being run down into total disrepair. The intercity bus lines are the dangerous, costly, and ecologically destructive alternative that many find themselves unable to afford to use. Federal transportation policies there, also have led to increased monopilization and profiteering. Plus, the switch to highway intercity transportaion has led to another misuse of Mexican federal funds.... those used to produce tollroads for trucking and transportation companies along traditional routes left in a dangerous state of disrepair, causing fatal accidents by the thousands. But rich cronies get richer, by feeding off of federal highway construction contracts. And a patronage system is left behind, of tollroad employees, and tolls levied. Zedillo's hand picked 'opposition' candidate, Vicente Fox, is widely thought to be headed for instituting a similar nationalization of Pemex, the state owned oil and natural gas company. What Board of Directors seat awaits him at what US company 6 years from now? The legacy of Mexico's modern privatization to benefit US multinationals.... from Salinas Gortari to Ernesto Zedillo, to today's, Vicente Fox. Tony Abdo ______________________________ Union Pacific names Mexico's Zedillo to board 22 Feb 2001 16:23 OMAHA, Neb., Feb 22 (Reuters) - Union Pacific Railroad's parent said on Thursday former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon was elected to its board of directors. Union Pacific Corp. said its railroad unit, the largest in North America, is the largest rail transportation link with Mexico, with operations at the six border gateways. Last year, its Mexican revenues rose 19 percent to a record $850 million, and in January they increased 6 percent. Union Pacific also owns 26 percent of Ferrocarril Mexicano, one of two major railroads within Mexico. Zedillo, 49, becomes the company's 14th board member. He was Mexico's president from 1994 to 2000. "(Zedillo's) vast knowledge of economic and trade issues will help to guide our growth strategy across our entire rail network in the years ahead," Union Pacific Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Dick Davidson said in a statement. _______________________________________________ CrashList website: http://website.lineone.net/~resource_base
