Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
>>> PRESENTATION OF "DIALOGUE" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS
MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA
MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLINGS THE
MOORE FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO.
>> THE NUMBER OF MEXICAN PEOPLE IN IDAHO HAS GROWN SO MUCH THEY
NOW HAVE A CONSULATE HERE.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE SERVICES 2 PROVIDES AS WELL AS THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IDAHO AND MEXICO WITH THE MEXICAN CONSUL
GUILLERMO ORDORICA. THAT'S DIALOGUE NEXT. STAY TUNED.
HELLO AND WELCOME TO DIALOGUE.
I'M MARCIA FRANKLIN.
THE CENSUS BUREAU ESTIMATES 170,000 PEOPLE IN IDAHO ARE
HISPANIC.
THAT'S ABOUT 11% OF THE STATE'S POPULATION.
THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF HISPANICS IN IDAHO MORE THAN
149,000 PEOPLE, ARE OF MEXICAN DESCENT.
FOES NUMBERS ARE HIGH ENOUGH IN 2009 THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT
DECIDED TO OPEN A CONSULATE IN IDAHO, KIND OF A MINI-EMBASSY.
THE CLOSEST MEXICAN CONSULATE BEFORE THEN WAS IN SALT LAKE
CITY, TOO FAR TO TRAVEL.
AT THE CONSULATE MEXICAN CITIZENS IN MOST OF IDAHO,
WESTERN MOSQUITO MONTANA AND EASTERN OREGON CAN APPLY FOR
VARIOUS LEGAL DOCUMENTS SUCH AS I.D. CARDS, PASSPORTS AND BIRTH
CERTIFICATES.
THE 15 EMPLOYEES CAN ASSIST THEM IN HEALTH EMERGENCIES OR WITH
LAW ENFORCEMENT SITUATIONS.
THE OFFICE IS ALSO INVOLVED WITH CAUGHT RAIL, TOURISM, TRADE AN I
GRACIOUS ISSUES.
HOO TO TALK ABOUT IT IS GUILLERMO ORDORICA.
THE SECOND TO SERVE IN HIS POSITION, HE ARRIVED IN BOISE IN
JUNE 2013.
HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED IN THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN
MEXICO WITH WHERE REWAS DEPARTMENT JEENL IN THE UNITED
STATES STATE DEPARTMENT.
A WORLD TRAVELER HE'S WORKED IN PARIS AND IN ROME AND WHEN NOT
CROSSING OCEANS HIS PREFERRED MODE OF TRAVEL IS BY BICYCLE.
WHICH WE'LL LEARN MORE ABOUT IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS.
WELCOME TO BOISE.
>> THANKS YOU.
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BRING YOU COMMENTS ABOUT THE
VERY IMPORTANT WORK WE DO HERE IN BOISE IN WHICH I CAN TELL YOU
I FEEL LIKE I'M HOME.
>> DO YOU ALREADY?
AFTER BEING IN EUROPE AND EVEN IN EL PASO THIS MUST BE A QUIET
PLACE FOR YOU TO LIVE.
>> IT'S NOT THAT MUCH.
BEING A CONSULATE IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY WORK A
LOT.
I'M ALWAYS FULL OF NOISE.
ALL KIND OF NOISES.
[LAUGHTER] >> WELL, WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULATE IN A MOMENT.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU, YOU'RE A BICYCLIST, AS I MENTIONED, AND
THIS IS A GREAT PLEASE TO LIKE.
YOU WERE NATIONAL CHAMPION IN MEXICO WHEN YOU WERE 17 OR 18 OR
SO.
>> 18.
THAT'S A LONG TIME AGO.
1976.
>> YOU ARE STILL BIKING.
>> YES, I LIKE IT VERY MUCH.
IT'S MY FIRST SPORT.
I WAS NATIONAL CHAMPION IN ROME AND IN CZECH AND OLYMPIC GAMES
197 SIX-MONTH REAL.
UNFORTUNATELY WE DIDN'T MAKE IT BECAUSE THE FEDERATION, CYCLING
FEDERATION DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SEND US.
IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE, BUT -- >> YOU WENT ON IN YOUR STUDIES
AS A RESULT OF NOT GOING TO THE OLYMPICS.
>> THEN I DECIDED TO CONTINUE OF COURSE DOING SPORTS IN A
DIFFERENT LEVEL.
DOING WHAT I LIKE VERY MUCH, WHICH IS PREPARING MYSELF TO
BECOME A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN FROM MEXICO.
>> IN FACT YOU DID A FUN THING THIS YEAR WHERE YOU DID A LITTLE
BICYCLE DIPLOMACY IN BOISE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
YES, I HAD THE IDEA AT THE BEGINNING I WAS REALLY CONCERNED
ABOUT HAVING THIS KIND OF IDEA BUT THEN I THOUGHT, GUILLERMO,
THE IDEA IS TO BRING IT TO THE PEOPLE OF BOISE, LET THEM KNOW
YOU ARE HERE, THE CONSULATE, THE KIND OF WORK YOU'RE DOING.
I DECIDED TO ADDRESS MYSELF WITH THE MEXICAN OLYMPIC -- THE SUIT
OF THE MEXICAN TEAM, AND I ASKED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN BICYCLE
TO JOIN ME AND HAVE A TOUR TO KNOW THE CITY, TO KNOW THE
PROBLEMS COMING FROM THE POLICE.
THE DIFFICULT SPOTS, THE NICE SPOTS OF THE CITY.
SAME TIME VISIT THE REGION.
>> GOT TO MICE KRISTIN ARMSTRONG, OLYMPIAN.
>> YES, AT THE HOSPITAL.
SHE WAS VERY NICE.
WE EXCHANGED IDEAS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FOSTERING,
PROMOTING SPORTS IN PARTICULAR ON NEW GENERATIONS.
>> YOU GET TO BIKE STILL IN IDAHO, WHICH MUST BE EASIER THAN
MEXICO CITY.
>> OH, YES, EVEN THOUGH MEXICO CITY HAS BEEN DOING ENORMOUS
PROGRESS IN BICYCLE AND TRANSPORT, HERE IS PARADISE FOR
CYCLISTS.
I LIKE IT VERY MUCH.
>> ANOTHER CONNECTION YOU HAVE IS YOU'RE OF BASQUE DESCENT
THROUGH YOUR FATHER.
THERE'S SO MANY BASQUES HERE.
THAT MUST BE A GREAT CONNECTION FOR YOU HERE IN IDAHO.
>> YES, WELL, IN MEXICO WE ARE ALL MEXICANS.
IT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF SOCIETY, MEXICO.
THE KIND OF SOCIETY DEVELOPS MAKES YOU IMMEDIATELY INTEGRATED
INTO NATIONAL SOCIETY.
WE ARE ALL OF US MEXICANS.
DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU COME FROM.
MY ORIGIN IS BASQUE LONG TIME AGO, PROBING OF 19th CENTURY.
MY LAST NAME IS TOTALLY BASQUE.
VERY RARE NAME IN SPANISH.
OR IN BASQUE.
THIS HAS BEEN LIKE A BUSINESS CARD APRESENTATION CARD FOR THE
COMMUNITY.
I LIKE THEM AND I ENJOY VERY MUCH.
>> IN FACT WHEN OUR FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE DIED THE
CONSUL PARTICIPATED AND MADE A DAY OF THE DEAD ALTAR FOR HIM.
>> YES, WE OFFERED HIM AN HOMAGE AS A CITIZEN, VERY IMPORTANT
U.S. CITIZEN, U.S. IDAHOAN.
WE HONORED APPEARED IN THAT WAY WE SHOW THE PEOPLE I THE WAY
WHICH MEXICO CELEBRATES, WE CAN SAY THAT, CELEBRATES DEATH.
>> BY SECELEBRATING THE LIFE OF SOMEBODY.
>> BY CELEBRATING LIFE AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO PASS
AWAY IN A NICE, VERY ANCIENT WAY THAT COMBINES INDIAN AND SPANISH
TRADITIONS.
>> ANOTHER THING ABOUT YOU, YOU'RE AN AUTHOR.
11 BOOKS.
>> YES.
>> INCLUDING A NOVEL.
>> YES.
HOW DO YOU FIND TIME FOR ALL OF THIS?
>> IT'S JUST A MATTER OF DISCIPLINE I THINK AND OF COURSE
SOMETHING YOU LIKE TO DO.
>> YOU SPECIALIZE IN HISTORY, YES?
>> WELL, HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
OF COURSE I'M A DIPLOMAT SO I LIKE TO MESS WITH POLITICS
APPEARED MY BOOKS MOST OF THEM HAVE TO DO WITH INTERNATIONAL
POLITICS AND THE MOMENT IN WHICH THE BUILDING WALL COLLAPSED AND
THE EMERGING OF THE GLOBAL WALL.
SOME OF THE BOOKS HAVE TO DO WITH THE VATICAN AND CHURCH
STIPULATIONS.
>> YOU WORKED -- >> I WORKED AT THE MEXICAN
EMBASSY TO THE HOLY SEE FOR SOME YEARS WHEN JOHN PAUL II WAS
POPE.
WELL, YES, I STARTED AND I WROTE A BOOK ABOUT WHAT I CALLED THE
GOSPEL OF DIPLOMACY.
I HAVE A NOVEL TOO, THIS IS A NOVEL ABOUT AN IDEA OF A GUY, A
CASTAWAY PERSON THAT HAS SOME KIND OF --
>> CASTAWAY?
>> YES.
IN THE 16th CENTURY.
HE JUST WANTED TO DIE AND HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DO THAT.
IT FINISHES WITH THE GUY SAYING THIS IS HOW MUCH FOR LIFE.
>> HE'S ON THE OPEN OCEAN WANTING TO DIE AND THE END OF IT
IS THAT IT'S AN HOMAGE TO LIFE.
>> YES.
>> YOU HAVE A BOOK BEING TRANSLATED TO NORTH IDAHO
UNIVERSITY.
>> THEY ARE WORKING ON, THAT YES, MARSHA.
I IN LAST MAY UNIVERSITY -- THE BORDERING CITY IN CHIHUAHUA
STATE WITH EL PASO, TEXAS, THERE'S A VERY NICE UNIVERSITY.
THIS UNIVERSITY PUBLISH MY BOOK, HERNAN CORTES AND BARTOLEME DE
LAS CASAS FOR A RECONCILED MEXICO, FOR WHICH IS OFFERING
SOME IDEAS ABOUT HOW THE PEOPLE AT THE TIME, IN EUROPE, IN SPIN,
EVEN MEXICO, WERE THINKING ABOUT WHAT THEY FOUND IN THE UNITED
STATES.
IN THE END THIS WEEK HAS TO DO WITH ALL THE PROCESS THAT
FINISHED WITH RECOGNITION OF THE HUMAN CONDITION OF THE INDIANS
AND THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD WHAT WAS TO DEVELOP AS HUMAN RIGHTS.
>> SO AS I UNDERSTAND IT THIS WILL BE THE FIRST BOOK NORTH
IDAHO UNIVERSITY IS TANS LATHE LATING INTO SPANISH?
>> IN THIS ISSUE THEY ARE WORKING ON THAT.
HOPEFULLY THE SPANISH DEPARTMENT IN ISU WILL FINISH THIS BOOK THE
FIRST SEMESTER OF 2014.
>> WONDERFUL.
THANKS FOR TELLING US ABOUT YOURSELF.
MAYBE A RENAISSANCE MAN.
SPORTS, HISTORY, DIPLOMACY.
HERE YOU ARE IN IDAHO.
TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE CONSULATE DOES.
AS I MENTIONED IN MY INTRODUCTION IT SERVICES MOSTLY
PEEK OF MEXICAN DESCENT WITH PAPERS THAT THEY MIGHT NEED TO
GET AROUND IN MEXICO AND HERE, BIRTH CERTIFICATES, THINGS LIKE
THAT.
>> YES.
WELL, YOU SAID WELL AT THE BEGINNING WE HAVE A GROWING
POPULATION IN THE REGION.
IT GOES BEYOND IDAHO.
GREAT PART OF MONTANA, PARTS OF NEVADA, PARTS OF OREGON.
WE HAVE ALMOST 200,000 -- 220,000 MEXICAN OR MEXICAN
ORIGIN PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREA. WE'RE JUST THE CONSULATE
FOR MEXICANS.
WE DON'T TAKE CARE FOR ANY OTHER NATIONALS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO
DEAL WITH THE MEXICAN POPULATION.
WHILE WE OFFER OUR NATIONALS WITH MAINLY THREE BASIC
SERVICES.
DOCUMENTATION, PROTECTION SERVICES AND PROMOTION OF
MEXICO.
IN DOCUMENTATION THAT WAS YOUR CONCERN, IT HAS TO DO WITH
COVERING OUR NATIONALS WITH DOCUMENTS THAT IN WHICH THEY CAN
PROVE THEY ARE MEXICAN NATIONAL SUCH AS PASSPORTS, BIRTH
CERTIFICATES NSOME CASES DEATH CERTIFICATES.
WE MARRY PEOPLE.
WE OFFER THEM WITH NOTARY PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
>> MEXICAN I.D.,.
>> MATRICULA CONSULAR, WHICH HAS BEEN ACCEPTED THANKS TO MAYOR
BIETER.
HE ACCEPTED IT FAIRLY WELL AND NOW THERE ARE SOME BENEFITS.
>> THERE WAS A CONCERN YEARS AGO WHEN THE CONSULATE OPENED THAT
THAT CARD WOULD BE USED TO GET SERVICES FOR THINGS LIKE HEALTH
CARE AND ALL THAT.
>> NO, NO, IT'S JUST AN I.D.
THAT'S GOOD, AN I.D. FOR PROVING THAT YOU ARE PRECISELY MEXICAN,
AN I.D. THAT HAS OF COURSE IN ITS A LOT OF SECURITY ELEMENTS,
AND THAT IS A VERY SECURE DOCUMENT.
>> YOU VISIT PEOPLE IN PRISON AND HOSPITAL, YES?
>> OH, YES.
ON THE OTHER SIDE WE OFFER ALSO PROTECTION SERVICES.
THE IDEA OF PROTECTING NATIONALS HERE HAS NOTHING TO DO TO AVOID
THE RULE OF LAW, OF COURSE.
RESPECT VERY MUCH THE UNITED STATES LAWS.
THIS IS THE MAIN THING.
WE TAKE CARE OF MEXICAN NATIONALS THAT HAVE BEEN
UNFORTUNATE OR WHATEVER REASON THEY ARE DETAPED OR ABUSE OF BY
PEOPLE FOR WHATEVER REASON, IMMIGRATION, ALSO FOR MEXICANS
IN HOSPITALS, IM, SICK, OR PEOPLE THAT HAS BEEN FOR ANY
REASON DETAINED AND THEY ARE STAYING IN A DETENTION CENTER.
A YEAR WE VISIT 200 TIMES.
WE MAKE 200 VISITS A YEAR TO THE DETENTION CENTERS JUST TO SEE
HOW IT'S DOING.
IF THEY ARE DOING WELL, IF THEY HAVE ANY SPECIAL NEEDS, TO LET
THEM KNOW IF THEY ARE REALLY FOLLOWING DUE PROCESS.
YES, THAT'S WHAT WE DO.
>> YOU'RE A DIPLOMAT.
YOU SAID, YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR FOLLOWING THE LAWS OF THE
COUNTRY THAT YOU'RE IN.
>> UH-HUH.
>> NEVER THELESS, I'M SURE YOU GET ASKED ALL THE TIME ABOUT
IMMIGRATION ISSUES.
ALL THE TIME.
IT'S THE TOP OF THE DOCKET.
>> YES.
>> QUESTION.
>> SO HOW DO YOU SEE THIS -- WE'RE IN KIND OF LIMBO NOW IT
SEEMS LIKE WITH IMMIGRATION ISSUES.
REFORM IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT.
HOW DO YOU SEE THAT AFFECTING YOUR CLIENTS, THE PEOPLE THAT
YOU SERVE?
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SITUATIONS WE FIND OURSELVES IN?
>> THANK YOU.
FIRST OF ALL LET ME MAKE A VERY CLEAR STATEMENT ABOUT THIS
PROCESS, MEXICO, OF COURSE, FOLLOWS CLOSELY THIS NATIONAL
DEBATE.
WE HAVE NO OPINION.
WITH CLEARLY RECOGNIZE THE RIGHT OF THE UNITED STATES PEOPLE AND
CONGRESS TO EXERCISE ITS AUTHORITY AND TO DECIDE WHATEVER
MAY BE CONVENIENT FOR YOU.
AFTER THAT LET ME SAY, YES, OF COURSE, THERE'S A LOT OF
EXPECTATIONS FOR MANY PEOPLE ABOUT HAVING IMMIGRATION REFORM
AND HOW THIS WILL AFFECT THEM WILL DEPEND.
FIRST OF ALL, WHAT WE DO IS TO OFFER THEM WITH GOOD
INFORMATION.
TO AVOID THEM TO BE VICTIMS OF PEOPLE THAT MAY PROBABLY ABUSE
THEM.
SO -- >> BUT YOU SEE FAMILIES THAT ARE
SPLIT APART, RIGHT, OTHER INSTANCES.
>> THERE ARE MANY SITUATIONS THAT OF COURSE EMERGE ABOUT
MIGRATION.
MIGRATION CAN BE SOMETHING VERY PAINFUL FOR MANY IN MANY WAYS.
THERE ARE MANY DIVIDED FAMILIES.
ONE, THE FATHER DEPORTED, THE MOTHER PROBABLY STAYING HERE.
>> YOU DON'T ASK SOMEBODY THEIR STATUS WHEN THEY COME FOR
SERVICES TO YOU.
>> NO, NO, NO.
>> YOU PROVIDE THEM SERVICES.
>> THE ONLY THING IF YOU WANT ME TO PROVIDE A SERVICE
DOCUMENTATION YOU HAVE TO PROVE YOU'RE MEXICAN.
WE HAVE WAYS TO DO THAT.
BUT MAINLY WE OFFER THE PEOPLE COMING TO OUR OFFICE WE OFFER
THEM WITH COUNSEL, IMMIGRATION COUNCIL.
TO OURSELVES OR THROUGH PEOPLE THAT KNOW PRETTY WELL WHAT'S
GOING ON TO AVOID ANY KIND OF ABUSE.
>> WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE A RESOLUTION SOON?
IS THIS SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU TO GET THIS
ISSUE RESOLVED?
>> NO, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH US.
OF COURSE WE HAVE AS I TOLD YOU BEFORE WE FOLLOW THIS ISSUE.
WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH DOMESTIC
POLITICS INSIDE THE UNITED STATES SO WE HAVE NO OPINION ON
THAT.
WE JUST FOLLOW IT.
>> BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PIECES TO IT.
>> YEAH, WELL -- >> DO YOU THINK WE'LL SEE ANY
MOVEMENT ON IT?
YOU USED TO BE A LIAISON TO CONGRESS IN ONE OF YOUR JOBS.
DO YOU THINK WE'LL SEE ANY MOVEMENT ON THE ISSUE AND WOULD
YOU LIKE TO SEE SOME MOVEMENT ON IT?
>> WELL, WHAT I CAN TELL YOU, THE ONLY INFORMATION WE HAVE IS
WHAT YOU MAY HAVE THROUGH THE MEDIA.
OF COURSE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN YOU NEVER KNOW.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH CONGRESS, POLITICS IT'S NOT
SOMETHING EASY TO ACHIEVE.
OF COURSE IMMIGRATION REFORM COULD BE VERY FRUITFUL FOR BOTH
COUNTRIES.
WE ARE FRIENDS WITH PARTNERS.
WE SHARE A BORDER, WE SHARE VALUES.
MIGRANTS OFFER A LOT OF WORK HERE SOMETIMES.
SO ALMOST 3% OF U.S. GDP COMES FROM MEXICAN LABOR, SO OF COURSE
HAS TO DO WITH SOMETHING THAT'S REALTY.
WE CANNOT CLOSE OUR EYES AND SAY THIS IS NOT HAPPENING.
IT IS HAPPENING.
THE PRESENCE OF MEXICANS IS THE RESULT OF MANY SITUATIONS IN
PARTICULAR A LABOR MARKET IN NORTH AMERICA.
EMERGING AND GROWING LABOR MARKET IN NORTH AMERICA.
BUT IMMIGRATION REFORM HAS NOTHING DO-TO-DO WITH MEXICO AND
AS I TOLD YOU WE ARE VERY RESPECTFUL AND WE WILL CONTINUE
LIKE THIS BECAUSE THIS IS A CAPACITY ON THE U.S. SIDE.
WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO ABOUT IT.
>> WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR YOUR TENURE HERE IN THIS REGION?
WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES?
>> WELL, THE FIRST PRIORITIES REALLY.
[AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] I GO OUT ON MY BICYCLE.
THAT'S WHY I VISIT SO MANY COMMUNITIES, GOING TO MANY
COMMUNITIES.
WE BRING THE CONSULATE TO COMMUNITIES THAT ARE PROBABLY
FAR FROM BOISE TO OFFER SERVICES DURING THE WEEKEND.
SO THE IDEA IS TO CONSOLIDATE THE CONSULATE, VERY IMPORTANT
TOOL.
THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT OFFICE FOR OUR NATIONAL SYSTEM,
WHATEVER THEY MAY NEED, AGAIN WITHOUT VIOLATING ANY U.S. LAWS.
THIS IS NOT OUR COMMITMENT.
OUR COMMITMENT IS JUST TO HELP THEM AS NATIONALS IN THOSE
SERVICES THAT WE OFFER THEM.
AFTER THAT, OF COURSE, WHEN I SAY THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO
ISN'T JUST OFFERING SERVICES FOR THE PEOPLE.
IT'S OFFERS THE PEOPLE FROM IDAHO, MONTANA, NEVADA AND
OREGON WITH INFORMATION ABOUT MANY GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPEN
BETWEEN IDAHO OR MY JURISDICTION AND MEXICO.
WE'RE TRADING PARTNERS.
>> QUITE A BIT OF TRADE, $256 MILLION BETWEEN IDAHO AND
MEXICO.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> IN 2012.
THAT WAS UP SUBSTANTIALLY FROM 2011.
>> IT'S BEEN GROWING THE LAST YEAR ALMOST 21.5%.
>> AGRICULTURAL.
>> AGRICULTURAL, DAIRY PRODUCTS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
IDAHO HAS A LOT OF ECONOMIC INTERESTS IN THE REGION OF
GUADALAJARA, JALISCO STATE.
THAT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW BECAUSE THAT IS REALLY THE IMPORTANCE
BETWEEN BOTH REGIONS, MEXICO AS A RUN AND U.S. AS A REGION.
>> CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ARE A PRIORITY TOO.
BRINGING IN MUSICIANS -- >> YES, THANK YOU.
THE UNITED STATES IS A SUPERPOWER IN POLITICS, 34EU8
MILITARY HARKS A LOT OF INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD.
MEXICO, I'M PROUD OF THAT, IS ALSO SUPERPOWER IN THINGS OF
CULTURE.
WE PRESENT OURSELVES TO THE WORLD WITH THIS STRENGTH.
WE OFFER THE WORLD WITH CULTURE AND WE BRING CULTURE AS THE MAIN
AMBASSADOR OF MEXICO BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE BEST
PRESENTATION CARD WE HAVE TO KNOW WHAT'S BETTER.
YES, TODAY, FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE GOING TO BE OFFERING A VERY NICE
VENUE, BRINGING A FLUTIST, BAROQUE CLASSICAL FLUTIST WHO IS
WORLDWIDE KNOWN, BUT WE OFFER MUSIC, DANCE, MOVIE, PAINTING.
ALL TIME WE'RE OFFERING KIND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
A WAY OF PRESENTING CULTURE FROM MEXICO IN A WAY WHICH PEOPLE
FROM HERE CAN OF COURSE BENEFIT FROM THIS KIND OF VENUES AND AT
THE SAME TIME A WAY FOR LETTING THEM KNOW WHAT WE ARE.
>> IF PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT GOING TO MEXICO, WHERE TO
GO, YOU CAN PROVIDE THAT?
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONCERN OVER THE YEARS ABOUT
SAFETY GOING DOWN TO MEXICO.
>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS.
WE'RE ON THE RIGHT WAY I THINK.
THIS IS NOT ANY MORE A MAIN CONCERN FOREGOING TO MEXICO.
MY MOTHER, MY FATHER, MY BROTHERS LIVE IN MEXICO AND LIVE
AS WELL AS IN HERE.
THINGS HAPPEN EVERYWHERE.
I WOULD NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT, BUT YES, YOU NEED
INFORMATION.
PLEASE COME TO THE CONSULATE AND WE WILL OFFER THAT INFORMATION,
GET YOU A VISA.
IF YOU'RE A BUSINESS MAN, WANT TO STUDY THERE, WE WILL OFFER
YOU INFORMATION REGARDING THOSE ISSUES, YES.
>> SO WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST DIFFICULT ABOUT YOUR JOB?
IS IT THAT YOU'RE SO STRETCHED OUT?
YOU'RE ACROSS SO MANY STATES HERE?
>> YEAH, WELL, THERE'S MANY CHALLENGES.
THE FIRST ONE IS TO BE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BE A DIPLOMAT AND I
NEED TO HAVE GOOD RELATION WITH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL SOURCES
IN THE REGION.
I HAVE TO COVER HUGE, HUGE GEOGRAPHIC EXPANSION.
IMAGINE TO OFFER SERVICES IN VERY FAR REGIONS IN MONTANA.
CLOSE TO NORTH DAKOTA, FOR EXAMPLE, OR SOUTH.
IT'S NOT AN EASY TASK SO I HAVE TO BE A DIPLOMAT AVOYAGER, A
TRAVELER.
>> YOU HAVE TO BE A DIPLOMAT AND WHAT?
>> A TRAVELER.
I WAS TRAVELING AROUND KNOCKING THE DOORS IN DIFFERENT
COMMUNITIES ALL AROUND MY JURISDICTION.
AT THE SAME TIME I HAVE TO BE IN MANY WAYS A FRIENDLY HAND TO GET
CLOSE TO MY COMMUNITIES AND TO REALLY TOUCH THE PROBLEMATIC OF
FAMILIES AND PEOPLE LIVING CONDITIONS SOMETIMES ARE VERY
DIFFICULT.
SO IT'S ABOUT DIPLOMACY AND HAVING CONFLICTS OF IDEAS OF
SITUATIONS IN WHICH YOU HAVE TO WORK.
>> WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT SITUATIONS --
>> THE PATIENTS, OF COURSE SOMETIMES COULD BE VERY
HEARTBREAKING.
YES.
MAY BE TOUCHY.
THIS IS THE KIND OF WORK WE DO AS CONSULS.
BEARE VERY, VERY PROUD.
MEXICO IS THE ONLY KING IN -- COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT HAS 50
CONSULATES IN THE UNITED STATES.
ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF MEXICANS LIVING IN THE UNITED
STATES, ALMOST 33 MILLION MEXICANS LIVE HERE, 3.3% OF THE
POPULATION IS MEXICAN ORIGIN.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SO MANY CONFLICTS NOT JUST BECAUSE WE
WANT TO BE HERE, JUST THEY ARE SO RECENT.
MEXICAN CONSULATE LABOR IS -- WORK HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS
SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT BY MANY NATIONS.
>> BEFORE YOU CAME TO IDAHO DID YOU KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS REGION?
>> WELL, A LITTLE ABOUT THIS, YES.
FIRST OF ALL, BECAUSE OF THE POTATOES.
THEY ARE FAMOUS EVERYWHERE.
[LAUGHTER] I LIKE THEM VERY MUCH.
ALSO I LIKE TO STUDY HISTORY, SO I READ SOMETHING ABOUT CUSTER IN
THE PAST, GENERAL CUSTER.
>> IN SOUTH DAKOTA.
>> THE REGION, YES.
SO I HAVE SOME IDEA.
ALSO BECAUSE NOT NECESSARILY IDAHO, GOING SOUTH TO NEVADA
THAT WAS THE ANCIENT MEXICAN BORED WERTH UNITED STATES BEFORE
1848.
>> WHAT KIND OF MISIMPRESSIONS DO YOU THINK PEOPLE IN THE
UNITED STATES MIGHT HAVE OF MEXICO OR MEXICANS?
>> MISIMPRESSIONS?
>> YES.
THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO CORRECT.
>> FIRST OF ALL, THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY ABOUT GOOD AND EVIL.
I THINK THAT IF YOU PUT IN THE BALANCE BOTH HISTORIES OF COURSE
GOOD IS GOING TO WIN FOR MORE.
FAR MORE.
BUT HAS TO DO WITH LACK OF INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT'S GOING
ON IN THE SOUTH.
WE ARE IN MEXICO TODAY THE 11th ECONOMY IN THE WORLD.
WE ARE HOPEFUL IN THE NEXT 10 TO 15 YEARS WE EXPECT TO BE THE
7th ACCORDING TO ECONOMIC AWARD WINNER.
WE WILL PROBABLY BE 7th, 8th.
WE'RE MORE POWERFUL THAN MANY EUROPEAN POWERS.
WE'RE MANY 150 MILLION MEXICANS.
SO ON THE SOUTH THERE'S NO DEVELOPING COUNTRY JUST LIKE
THAT.
WE ARE AN EMERGING POWER.
WE'RE A COUNTRY THAT HAS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS.
WE PARTICIPATE IN THE G20 GROUP.
WE HAVE BEEN PART OF THE UNITED NATIONS SEVERAL TIMES AS A
NONPERMANENT MEMBER.
MEXICO HAS A VERY ACTIVE ROLE AND VERY NICE CITIES.
YOU WILL BE AMAZED HOW MANY THINGS WE CAN OFFER YOU NOT JUST
ABOUT HISTORY.
FOOD, RESTAURANTS, THE BIGGEST THE CITY HAS THE BIGGEST NUMBER
OF MUSEUMS IN THE AMERICAS.
PROBABLY IN THE WORLD EVEN COMPARED WITH PARIS.
>> MEXICO CITY.
>> YES.
WE HAVE 260 MUSEUMS.
WE OFFER THE WORLD MANY THINGS AND WE OFFER A CITY WHICH IS
CONTEMPORARY, METROPOLITAN, MODERN, VERY NICE, AND YOU WILL
ENJOY IT.
TROUBLES LIKE EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
THAT'S NORMAL IN SUCH A HUGE CITY.
22 MILLIONS PEOPLE.
>> POLLUTION -- SNOW NOT ANY MORE.
IT WAS A CONCERN 20 YEARS AGO.
NOT ANY MORE.
MEXICO CITY IN TERMS OF HISTORY, THE CORE OF THE AMERICAS IN MANY
WAYS.
>> WHAT KIND OF MISIMPRESSIONS DO YOU THINK PEOPLE MAY HAVE
ABOUT PEOPLE OF MEXICAN DESCENT IN THE UNITED STATES?
>> FIRST OF ALL, THERE'S A WRONG IDEA BECAUSE WE SAY WE ALL
MEXICANS, YOU ALL AMERICANS IN MEXICO.
WE ARE SO RELATED FOR SO MANY YEARS BECAUSE OF HISTORY,
WHATEVER, SO THIS HAS TO DO AGAIN HISTORIES WHICH I'M NOT
SURE ANY MORE.
>> EVIL?
>> EVIL.
YES.
THE MAIN CONCERN FOR THOSE WHO ARE HERE, WE DON'T LIKE TO CALL
THEM ILLEGALS BECAUSE WE DON'T LIKE TO CRIMINALIZE IMMIGRATION.
ALL THE UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE FEAR FROM BEING IDENTIFIED BY ANY
AUTHORITY.
THAT'S PROBABLY THE MAIN REASON WHY THEY HIDE.
THEY ARE AFRAID OF BEING CAUGHT.
THEY ARE TRY THEIR BEST.
SOMETIMES WE HAVE VERY GOOD WORKERS IN HERE.
THE MISIMPRESSION IS THEY FEAR TO BE DEPORTED OR ABUSED BY ANY
KIND OF AUTHORITY BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDOCUMENTED.
EVERYTHING ELSE I THINK IS OKAY.
YOU MAY KNOW THAT IN MEXICO IN IN SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE YOU
HAVE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF AMERICANS FROM THE UNITED STATES
LIVING ABROAD.
IT GOES BOTH WAYS.
SUCH AS MEXICANS COMING HERE, IT'S ALSO GOING THERE.
MANY RETIREE, ELDER PEOPLE LIKE TO RETIRE IN MEXICO BECAUSE THEY
LIVE PHENOMENAL, GREAT N. BAJA, CALIFORNIA, PENINSULA, BEAUTIFUL
PLACES TO LIVE, RESORTS, HOSPITAL, MEDICAL SERVICES AND
CHEAPER THAN HERE WITH FIRST QUALITY SERVICES.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF TIES BETWEEN OUR TWO AREAS.
>> OH, YEAH.
>> UNFORTUNATELY THE TIME HAS GONE SO QUICKLY, IMAGINE THAT.
THANK YOU FOR COMING IN AND TALKING WITH US ABOUT YOURSELF
AND ABOUT THE CONSULATE HERE IN IDAHO.
FOR MORE INFORMATION WE WILL BE LINKING YOUR WEBSITE TO OURS.
>> THANK YOU.
LET ME SAY ONE THING MORE BEFORE FIN IRING.
MEXICO IS LIKE A MARRIAGE.
WE'RE MARRIED.
JUST ONE DIFFERENCE.
IF YOU'RE MARRIED WITH A PERSON, YOU HAVE CHANCE FOR DIVORCE.
BETWEEN MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES WE'RE MARRIED FOREVER.
THERE'S NO CHANCE FOR DIVORCE.
SO THE BEST THING TO DO IS KEEP ON COOPERATING AND BE FRIENDS AS
A WE DO NOW.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO CONSUL GUILLERMO OR DO RIYKA.
>> THAT'S PERFECT.
>> PERFECTLY DIPLOMATIC.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
HE'S THE CONSUL FROM MEXICO TO IDAHO IN THIS REGION.
I'M MARCIA FRANKLIN.
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN TO THIS EDITION OF "DIALOGUE."
>> PRINCE GEORGES OF "DIALOGUE" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS
MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA
MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE
MOORE FAMILY'S LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF