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  CLAIRE ZUGMEYER Mexican President Vicente Fox (right) met Thursday with Gov. Gray Davis (center) and UC President Richard Atkinson at the James West Alumni Center to officially inaugurate Internet2, which will provide a high speed connection between UC campuses and universities in Mexico.

By Marcelle Richards and Scott B. Wong

Daily Bruin Staff

Newly elected Mexican President Vincente Fox met with Gov. Gray Davis, UC President Richard Atkinson and 25 educators from both sides of the border at UCLA Wednesday to discuss the high-speed Internet2 connection between the University of California and Mexico.

Davis also announced the opening of the second California House in Mexico City, which will be home to the UC's Education Abroad program.

Due to time constraints, Fox limited his time at the James West Alumni Center to just under half his expected hour-long stay. Afterward, he went to Macgowan Hall for an interview with the Spanish language television station Univision.

Fox, who was elected president in December after more than 70 years of single-party rule, said Mexico has lost a lot of time in the last century and is lagging in the technological era.

"Right now we have one computer for every 50 inhabitants," Fox said at the Alumni Center. "In other parts of the world, there will be a one to one ratio, so we have to speed up the process of connecting."

"While we have not even finished connecting some roads and highways, we are already in front of the challenge of connecting through the internet and connecting through technology," Fox added.

Later, protesters from across the state joined forces with student activists at UCLA to chastise Fox for spending time improving his image in California instead of tending to the needs of Mexican citizens in Chiapas.

  DANIEL WONG Protesters hold a giant face of a masked woman, which symbolizes mass solidarity among all struggling people. The group of 100 gathered in response to an e-mail message calling for a protest that had been sent barely 24 hours prior by members of the International Socialist Organization.

Others heard of the protest by word of mouth.

The movement for equality for indigenous people in the area began in 1994, when the Zapatista army of National liberation declared war on the Mexican government. After years of skirmishes, the Zapatistas made a trek from the security of southern Mexico to the capital city to negotiate with the government.

Currently, efforts are being made to close seven military bases in Chiapas, release Zapatista prisoners and pass Cocopa legislation to ensure the rights of indigenous people.

"We know that Fox is for free trade and that's something that definitely serves corporate interests," said fifth-year history student and International Socialist organization member Behzad Raghian "It's taking from communities that were self-sufficient and turning them into plantations for corporations."

The fact that students were not advised of the meeting, and that the forum took place during finals week was a strategic move made by Fox to avoid negative media attention, said last year's Undergraduate Students Association Council President Mike de la Rocha at the protest.

"I think students and community have shown they aren't going to let the people responsible for the deaths of people in Mexico speak freely at UCLA," he said.

"The fight of the Zapatistas is the fight of every honest conscious person."

Davis, who said he was honored Fox chose California for his first American visit since his inauguration, called the former president of Coca-Cola not only a distinguished businessman, but also a humanist.

Fox recently declared his support for extending college opportunities to resident Mexicans in California. By building strong ties to the state, Fox said he hopes to allow legal aliens to gain residency and pay in-state tuition.

Davis said he wanted to take some time today to inaugurate the Internet2, which will provide a high-speed interconnection between the California research and education Network-2 and the advanced Internet in Mexico. Speeding up the process of technological growth is one of Fox's greatest concerns, he said.

"Fortunately today, technology permits these huge jumps and shortcuts and this is basically what we're after," Fox said.

Nearly 3,000 municipalities in Mexico must be connected in the next three years, Fox said.

"If we keep on working together, Mexico as well as California will benefit," Fox said. "This inauguration will be for the better of both of our nations."

Davis has committed $30 million over six years to enable the exchange the academic, scientific and intellectual activities between California and Mexico.

"I believe in the power of ideas. I believe in sharing ideas, and I believe sharing can lead to more economic progress, moving our two leaders closer together," Davis said.

"Any researcher, any innovator, and professor can access all this information at their fingertips to facilitate research and academic development to achieve a greater understanding of what we're doing in this society and where we're going," he continued.

With reports from Daily Bruin wire services.

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