On the Record

And Our Lithuania? “We look at Mexico as our Eastern Europe.” U.S. trade official Business Week April 9, 1990 Call of the Wild “It’s as if Central America has become the zoo for the remaining speci- mens of the cold war.” Laurence R. Birns Council on Hemispheric Affairs Business Week February 26, 1990 In Praise of Mediocrity “What the intellectual should do is at least tolerate mediocrity, because mediocrity is what has brought us prog- ress.” Mario Vargas Llosa, Peruvian novelist and presidential candidate Wall Street Journal April 6, 1990 Magical Realism Mr. Vargas Llosa’s distaste for press- ing the flesh was widely known in Lima. In one case late last February, a televi- sion producer decided to save time by filming a “slum” commercial in the novelist’s back yard. The crew set up the props-woven reed mats, battered cooking utensils and an unwashed In- dian child. The cameraman carefully framed shots to avoid the swimming pool. New York Times April 15, 1990 The Karate Kid To gain publicity, [Peruvian presi- dential candidate Alberto] Fujimori has been filmed breaking a brick with a karate kick. In the interview, he con- fessed that he never learned karate and that the brick had been broken in ad- vance. New York Times April 15, 1990 Collor’s Economic Housekeeping “To kill the cockroach, they set the apartment on fire.” Antonio Delfim Netto, former economic planning minister, on Brazil’s austerity measures Wall Street Journal May 10, 1990 Hands Across America John Duffy, San Diego County Sheriff, proposed to halt illegal immi- gration from Mexico by placing U.S. Marines wearing white gloves every 15 feet along the United States/Mexican border….In order to reach the goal Sheriff Duffy proposes, the United States would have to use the Marines plus the entire forces of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, the en- tire Strategic Air Command, all mili- tary personnel and guards from all bases and missile silos [abroad]. Left Curve Oakland 1990 Cactus Practice In Texas the National Guard pro- posed “Project Cactus” last year to stop the flow of drugs into the country from Mexico. According to Lt. Col. Ed Komandosky, the troops would wear cactus costume and hide near drug- smuggling corridors, ready to call in federal agents to make arrests. The Economist February 10, 1990 Just in Case The Commission for a Free Cuba, created three months ago by Florida Governor Bob Martinez, will study and formulate recommendations about what must be done in the event Fidel Castro’s government collapses. According to a source at the commission…[one] rec- ommendation would be to advise the federal government to take measures in case of a nuclear attack. El DiariolLa Prensa New York May 15, 1990 ;Perfecto! Be in Operation in 90 days or Less Without Red Tape or Long Term Commitments This intensive 2-day seminar covers every aspect of manufacturing prod- ucts in Mexico. You’ll learn how to enjoy the highly profitable benefits of offshore manufacturing without admin- istrative/legal/financial involvement in Mexico-and you don’t have to learn Spanish! Advertisement Wall Street Journal March 12, 1990