Frontera NorteSur July-August 2002

On Thursday, June 27, 2002, New Mexico's Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Richardson, accompanied by long-time friend, Chihuahua Governor Patricio Martínez,  told a binational audience of business people, developers and politicians about his plan for the development of the New Mexico-Chihuahua border. A former US representative from New Mexico, former US ambassador to the United Nations and former secretary of energy, Richardson said that if elected he and Governor Martínez would create a functional New Mexico-Chihuahua Economic Development Commission. Born in Mexico and with family in Chihuahua City, Richardson cited his many contacts with people throughout Chihuahua and Mexico and his international experience as other reasons he should be elected to office.

The New Mexico-Chihuahua Economic Development Commission

"We are one region," Richardson said as he described the New Mexico-Chihuahua Economic Development Commission. The commission would be headed by the states' governors and would meet on a regular basis, alternating between the states' capitols of Santa Fe and Chihuahua City. Richardson emphasized that the commission would be a functional one, contrasting it to previous initiatives that have kept New Mexico as a state that is involved in just 1% of the total US-Mexico trade.

As part of the commission's activities, Richardson and Martínez would go on joint trade missions to bring companies and tourism to the region. This biregional approach to economic development underlines the fact that both men de-emphasize competition between Mexico and the US and sense the importance of regional cooperation and development as a key to both states' future economic growth.  The states would also work together to open new agricultural markets and expand existing ones for agricultural products such as chile and pecans, Richardson said.

Water is another important issue that the commission would look at closely. Richardson and Martínez agreed that there must be an adequate supply of water to accommodate future growth. Watershed restoration and water quality were also mentioned as areas where cooperation would take place. Finally, Richardson said he would seek to create a tristate water commission that would include New Mexico, Chihuahua and Texas. The water commission would deal in particular with the Rio Conchas and would work to end water disputes like the one that is currently taking place between Texas and Mexican border states over the agricultural water that is owed to Texas.

Both Richardson and Martínez spoke extensively on the subject of infrastructure and stated that the two states need more border crossings. More air and railway links are also important and Richardson said he wants to see the return of direct New Mexico-Mexico commercial flights. If Richardson becomes governor he said that he would also support the construction of San Jerónimo, a Chihuahua industrial city and community that will be built across the border from Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Richardson and Martínez also support a border crossing to link Sunland Park, New Mexico and the Ciudad Juárez neighborhood of Anapra.

Richardson's Personal Connections with Mexico

Born in Mexico and with family in Mexico City and the state of Chihuahua, Richardson said that, if elected governor of New Mexico, his long-time relationships with people across the border would serve New Mexico well. "Personal ties are important," Richardson said about doing business and establishing governmental ties with Mexico.

Besides his fluent Spanish and his close personal and cultural links to Mexico, Richardson stated that his time as the secretary of energy and as ambassador to the UN are also assets to the people of New Mexico.

Governor Martínez said that he supports Richardson in his bid for office and that he and Richardson are old friends. Martínez also stated that he would look forward to working with Richardson if he were elected.

While both politicians did not put a price tag on their border development plans, they did state that they will invest whatever is necessary to improve the border and bring it to its full potential.