Grupo Salinas Promotes Mexican Election Dialog in Washington With CSIS

Grupo Salinas Promotes Mexican Election Dialog in Washington With CSIS

-Sergio Sarmiento Says He Sees 'No Indication of Systematic, Generalized Fraud.'-

-Television News Coverage of the Event by Azteca America in the US and TV Azteca in Mexico-

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Salinas, a group of dynamic, fast growing and technologically advanced companies deeply committed to the modernization of Mexico and Hispanic America, continues to support open dialog through participation in a roundtable discussion held in Washington DC by the Mexico Project of the Center for Strategic International Studies entitled Mexico's Post Electoral Quandary & its Implications.

The event held last week included panelists Sergio Sarmiento, member of Azteca America and TV Azteca editorial boards and a renowned political analyst; Raul Avila Ortiz, a former spokesman for Mexico's Electoral Tribunal; and Jeffrey Weldon, a professor at the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM).

"We look forward to continued contact with the CSIS in the future whether it be sponsoring analysts to participate in roundtables or other events," said Luis J. Echarte, chairman of Azteca America. "Open dialog about Mexico and the US Hispanic population is always in the interest of our companies and our communities."

Sarmiento explained that every accusation presented by the leftwing coalition, Por el Bien de Todos, had been examined without any evidence of fraud being discovered. "Small errors of arithmetic have been found," he pointed out, "but no indication of systematic, generalized fraud."

Sarmiento said that he personally favors a full recount of the votes, which is the position supported by the leftwing candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, "not for any indication of fraud, but just because the margin of victory is so small."

Raul Avila, a lawyer, explained that according to Mexican legislation the Electoral Tribunal would first rule on every individual suit put forward by the parties, a process which it must complete on or before August 31. Then the magistrates have until September 6 to rule on the validity of the election.

Jeffrey Weldon pointed out that, in spite of the close presidential vote, the pro-business National Action Party (PAN) of President Vicente Fox and winning candidate Felipe Calderon has become the country's largest party in Congress and could get a comfortable working majority if it reaches agreements with some of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) or some of the smallest parties in Congress.

The event was attended by over a hundred US government officials and academics, and included television coverage by Azteca America in 51 markets across the US and TV Azteca in Mexico.

Grupo Salinas Profile

Grupo Salinas is a group of dynamic, fast growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, building the Mexican middle class, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas, Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies: TV Azteca, Azteca America, Grupo Elektra, Banco Azteca, Afore Azteca, Seguros Azteca, Circulo de Credito, Unefon, Iusacell, Movil@ccess, Todito.com and Telecosmo. Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. However, member companies share a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance.

Source: Grupo Salinas

CONTACT: Daniel McCosh of Grupo Salinas, +5255-1720-0059,
dmccosh@aztecaamerica.com

Web site: http://www.tvazteca.com.mx/

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