BERNARD SHAW, CNN ANCHOR: Mexico's President-elect Vicente Fox is on a two-day visit to the United States. During a meeting with President Bill Clinton, he presented some radically new ideas about cross-border relations. CNN's Kelly Wallace has details.</s>KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For President-elect Vicente Fox, an opportunity to present his long-term vision for U.S.-Mexican relations. But President Clinton reacted cautiously to his boldest proposal, to eventually open up the 2,000- mile border, allowing Mexican workers to travel freely to U.S. jobs.</s>WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Obviously we have borders and we have laws that apply to them, and we have to apply them. And so do the Mexicans. But I think over the long run, our countries will become more interdependent.</s>WALLACE: Mexico's future leader envisions closer ties between his country, the United States and Canada to lift up Mexico's economy, goods and workers moving among all three nations, just as in the European Union. Fox says a stronger Mexico will keep workers from fleeing for better-paying jobs.</s>VICENTE FOX,PRESIDENT-ELECT OF MEXICO: How can we build opportunities in Mexico so that our kids, 12-, 14-year-olds, don't have to leave home, don't have to move to the United States looking for opportunities.</s>WALLACE: Since he takes office just two months before a new U.S. leader is inaugurated, Fox is laying the groundwork no matter who wins, meeting with Vice President Al Gore, traveling to Texas Friday to meet with Texas Governor George W. Bush. Both have expressed concern about Fox's proposal, saying they need to hear more. (on camera): For Mr. Clinton, with only months left in office, this meeting was less about policy than on setting a positive tone between the two countries, regardless whoever becomes the next president. Kelly Wallace, CNN, the White House.
Fox Pitches Open-Border Proposal to Clinton