A Mellower Helms Looks South

Few people would accuse Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) of expansiveness in foreign policy, despite his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. One of his many dubious achievements is the Helms-Burton law, which not only outlaws U.S. trade with Cuba but demands U.S. sanctions against allies who deal with the island state. Helms’ long neoisolationist history, plus his pride in not traveling outside the United States, understandably raises suspicion about his coming official trip to Mexico.

The senator and other committee members will visit a group of Mexican senators next week in Mexico City. The reason for the trip, in the words of Helms, is to “help solidify the emerging friendship between our governments and contribute to strengthening the long-standing friendships between our two peoples.”

He says he likes Vicente Fox, Mexico’s new president, and that he’s going to Mexico in good faith. Let’s take him at his word. After all, a few days ago he showed his willingness to give Mexico a break and save the United States from again suffering an old embarrassment. Under his leadership, his committee approved a bill by Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) to suspend for three years the law that requires the president to certify to Congress that other nations are cooperating with Washington in its fight against drugs. Suspending the certification sham is the kind of action that fosters cooperation.

Helms, 79 and ailing recently, was also instrumental two months ago in authorizing payment of U.S. debts to the United Nations, so his views, late in his Senate career, seem to be moderating.

Mexico’s President Fox and President Bush are off to a good start, enjoying open lines of communication and having exchanged friendly visits. A meeting between mostly Republican members of Helms’ committee and Mexican senators should at least help the U.S. lawmakers understand the complexities of the current Mexican Congress, in which three parties share power. The more familiarity, the better.