By Bill Miller
Washington Post Staff Writer

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge said yesterday that he will explore ways to speed the flow of people and goods across the southern border when he meets
with Mexican officials next week, noting that tightened security measures have slowed commerce.

In a two-day trip to Mexico City starting Monday, Ridge said he will meet with Mexican President Vicente Fox and other officials in hopes of laying the groundwork
for a border agreement similar to one he signed with Canada in December.

As part of that pact, the United States and Canada agreed to consider "smart cards" for frequent travelers and to create a system in which trucks would be sealed at
their points of origin and given preclearance to use fast lanes at border checkpoints. The two countries also pledged to share intelligence information.

Although Ridge called the Canadian accord "a good starting point," he cautioned that the United States has concerns about Mexico that must be addressed, including
reducing the flow of illegal immigrants and curtailing drug trafficking. But he said relations with Mexican law enforcement authorities have improved greatly and that he
is prepared to recommend that the United States pick up "a significant part, or perhaps all, of the cost" of new border technology in the early going.

Ridge said he intends to gather information for President Bush, who plans to visit Mexico later this month. Those planning to join Ridge on the trip include Customs
Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and James W. Ziglar, commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Bonner and Ziglar were in Vancouver, British
Columbia, yesterday, talking with Canadian leaders about port security.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued a report Wednesday that said more stringent border inspections have caused unpredictable, lengthy delays in California,
Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, resulting in "lost business for local manufacturers and retail establishments and fewer border crossings for commerce, tourism and
education."

Commerce between the United States and Mexico has tripled since 1993, with more than $245 billion of goods flowing between the countries last year. Canada is
the United States' biggest trading partner, accounting for more than $365 billion annually.

The Customs Service and the INS got approval from Congress after the Sept. 11 attacks to hire more personnel to bolster security on the borders. Until those
agencies hire and train new inspectors and agents, extra protection will be provided by roughly 1,600 National Guard troops scheduled to begin work this month,
with about 950 posted along the Mexican border. Ridge reiterated yesterday that the troops are "a temporary measure."

"Among allies and friends you don't have militarized borders," he said.

                                               © 2002