(Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State) - The United States congratulates Mexican President-elect Felipe Calderon on his victory and will work with his administration on a wide range of issues, according to State Department and White House officials, reports Trend.
Two months after disputed July 2 elections, Mexicos electoral tribunal formally certified Calderons victory on September 5, voting unanimously to reject allegations of fraud.
In a September 5 interview with the Washington File, a U.S. State Department official commented on the decision of Mexicos top electoral court.
We congratulate Mr. Calderon on his victory, the official said. We look forward to working with President-elect Calderon and his administration on the wide range of issues that the United States and Mexico have on our common agenda.
The White House echoed these sentiments on September 6.
We expect our relationship with Mexico to continue to be broad, deep, and productive for both countries under the administration of President-elect Caledron, a White House official said.
The White House and State Department officials both pointed out that until Calderon is sworn into office on December 1, the United States will continue to work closely with current President Vicente Fox and his administration. As the White House official explained, the United States will continue to work with the administration of President Fox on our bilateral agenda -- an agenda focused on the security and prosperity of our two countries and North America as a whole.
As for the continuing protests of second-place finisher Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who has said that he will not recognize Calderon as president and has vowed to set up an alternative government, the State Department official indicated that the United States will respect the election results as certified by Mexican electoral officials.
The Mexican people have spoken, both on election day July 2 and through their electoral institutions that adjudicated the election disputes, the official said. We are confident that the people of Mexico will respect the decision of the electoral tribunal and the results of the election.
In a September 5 statement, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Antonio O. Garza Jr. not only congratulated President-elect CalderГіn, but also praised Mexicos electoral institutions.
I also extend my congratulations to the seven members of the Tribunal who applied reason and impartiality to resolve a difficult challenge for Mexicos democracy, he said. In the past two months, Mexicos political institutions have been tested -- but it is clear that democracy has emerged triumphant.
Garza added that the people of Mexico deserve our admiration and respect for using the legal system to consider questions about the July 2 election this manner of dispute resolution is another hallmark of a vibrant democracy.
The U.S. ambassador to Mexico also expressed hope that Mexicos leaders can move past the electoral disputes of the past two months and work together to meet the expectations of the Mexican people.
In any election, there must be a winner and a loser -- and one key to a strong democracy is having candidates who can be both with grace and dignity. He said.
We hope that the Mexican people can now focus on building consensus and looking towards the future. By working together, all of Mexicos leaders can successfully fulfill the expectations of its people and give them the opportunity and security that they want and deserve.