PREPARING TO REMAKE MEXICO

Mexicans have understandably high expectations for Vicente Fox
Quesada, the man they elected to break the 71-year presidential
monopoly of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. In the
euphoria that has followed his decisive victory Sunday, they now look
to Mr. Fox to eliminate the official corruption, economic inequalities
and political repression that were the defining characteristics of PRI
rule. Mr. Fox's initial declarations are promising. But he will need
persistence and cooperation from Mexico's other parties to succeed.

Taking over from an entrenched autocracy is never easy, and Mr. Fox
faces more than the usual difficulties. The PRI remains in power for
five more months, long enough to destroy records of corrupt dealings
and deny Mr. Fox a smooth transition.

His party will lack a Congressional majority, requiring him to make
deals with other political forces, including the PRI. President
Ernesto Zedillo should make sure that the current government shares
information fully with Mr. Fox's nominees.

The most important issue facing Mr. Fox is government corruption. He
has promised to remove police functions from the highly politicized
Interior Ministry and the attorney general's office and establish a
new, more professional ministry of security and justice. Those are
necessary steps. Mexico's police have become notorious for protecting
drug dealers and preying on ordinary citizens while facing little
threat of investigation or punishment. But merely creating a new
ministry is not enough. The training and management of police and
prosecutors must be overhauled to ensure that criminal investigations
are conducted properly and all law enforcement officers are held
accountable for misconduct.

Mr. Fox has also pledged to channel public resources toward reducing
poverty and to bring the benefits of the North American Free Trade
Agreement to smaller businesses. Washington should offer him strong
support. A Mexico with economic opportunity more widely distributed
among its 100 million people would not only provide a better market
for American consumer goods, it would also be a more comfortable
economic and political partner for the United States. Washington
should consider Mr. Fox's sensible ideas about expanding legal
immigration.

Mexico's size, proximity and prominence as a trade partner tie it
inextricably to the United States. Washington should do all that it
can to support Mr. Fox's efforts to transform his country from an
autocracy based on patronage and privilege into a law-abiding,
pluralist democracy.