A dispute between Mexico and the United States over Mexican trucks on American highways will probably not come to a quick resolution because of the events of Sept. 11, a Mexican official said Tuesday.

        Noemi Hernandez, Mexican consul general for the St. Louis consulate that oversees Kentucky, told members of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce that security is now added to other concerns, including safety and air pollution.

        “Who knows what kind of controls will be put in place because of this,” Ms. Hernandez said. “We've got 2,000 miles of border, and it is very difficult to check every single item that is crossing. But we have good will on both sides, and we will work as a team.”

        The North American Free Trade Agreement, signed by the U.S., Mexico and Canada in 1993, required the three countries to open their borders to shippers from each other.

        Mexico has allowed U.S. trucks across its borders since 1994, but the U.S. has stalled on reciprocating. Critics and opponents to open borders say Mexican trucks are not as well regulated, meaning that the equipment is not as safe or clean, and drivers are not as tightly supervised for adequate rest and possible drug use.

        The Bush administration is in favor of lifting the ban, but has yet to gain legislative approval.

        Ms. Hernandez said the Sept. 11 attacks made the issue even more complex, even as Mexican authorities are working to improve safety regulations.

        Ms. Hernandez and Eleazar Ruiz, Mexican general consul in Detroit, where he oversees Michigan and Ohio, also said the Mexican Foreign Ministry is examining the possibility of locating a consulate in the Cincinnati area, but did not give details.

No recession in soap
Trucking accord up in the air
Airline bailout could pay off
Flag makers doing banner business
Tristate Summary
Industry notes: Banking
Morning Memo
What's the Buzz?