5 questions for new Mexican Consul General Eduardo Arnal

Fernando Quintero, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 13, 2007 at midnight

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With Mexican immigration continuing to be a hot-button issue in Colorado and elsewhere, the new head of the Mexican Consulate in Denver, Eduardo Arnal, can expect pressure to respond to critics of Mexico's foreign policy as well as to the demands of his fellow countrymen living in Colorado.

A career politician, Arnal brings a wealth of experience. He served in the Mexican Congress from 2000 to 2003, and was part of Mexican President Felipe Calderon's transition team when he took over the top office from former President Vicente Fox in 2006. The Rocky sat down with Arnal to talk (in his native Spanish language) about U.S.-Mexico relations and other pressing issues.

1 What will you do to improve relations between Mexico and Colorado?

I think we're starting with a good relationship. I think the community here in Colorado understands our mutually beneficial social and economic relationship. Mexicans contribute much to the economy of this state, and Mexico benefits from the many exports that come from Colorado. Efforts to improve that relationship must include better communication with the leadership of this state .

2 What do you see as your biggest challenge?

Improving communication with as many people as possible. We need to reach many key people: state, county and city leaders, senators and representatives, chiefs of police, and others. We need to make sure that the effort to reach out continues on an ongoing basis.

3 What image of Mexico do you think has been presented in the United States?

First, I want to say I respect all opinions. But I think we need to closer align with reality the image people in the United States have of Mexico. I think there are misperceptions about Mexicans that are based on false information. We need to provide hard facts, statistics, surveys and other information that will provide a better, more accurate picture of Mexico and its people - one that shows our cultural and historic richness.

4 What solutions does Mexico present to address the continuing wave of immigration to the United States?

A priority for President Calderon has been to improve economic conditions in Mexico so that we don't continue losing people for lack of opportunity. We are losing some of our best, most-talented, most hard-working people. It concerns me to think what will happen in 20 or 25 years if we keep losing all our human capital.

5 What will you do to improve consulate services to Mexicans living in Colorado?

We need to continue reaching out to as many Mexicans as possible through our mobile consulate, which has been a huge success, as well as through an enhanced public outreach campaign. I hope to increase our basic services including issuing more matricular consular ID cards, providing assistance with passports and other documentation, and educating Mexican laborers about their workplace and civil rights.

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