It is necessary to understand that social and economic problems exist in Mexico before the situation can be resolved, a prominent Mexican political figure visiting the UA yesterday, said.

"It's very clear if we don't improve the social and economic conditions in Mexico then we won't stop the flow of immigrants (into the United States)," CuauhtCmoc Cardenas told a nearly full room.

Cardenas, founder and former president of the center-left Party of the Democratic Revolution of Mexico, spoke and then opened the floor to questions.

One person asked him about drugs. Cardenas said drug trafficking and money laundering have become serious problems in Mexico.

"(The) reality (is) we have to face and fight to end it," he said.

Feelings over the North American Free Trade Agreement were also discussed at the lecture.

Cardenas said NAFTA should have more environmental and labor regulation considerations.

"I think we could have more of a fair agreement," Cardenas said.

Eda Sayne, an anthropology graduate student originally from Mexico, said such visits are especially important here, because being Mexico's neighbor, Arizonans need this type of knowledge.

But Sayne said Cardenas spokewith many generalities and that she was expecting a different type of answer when she asked a question.

Keith Johnson, graduate student in Hispanic linguistics, said he liked Cardenas' treatment of NAFTA. The most important aspect of the lecture was that Cardenas recognized "in the American arena that NAFTA is severely flawed," Johnson said

Last night's lecture began the Latin American Area Center's fall lecture series, "Hacia Donde Va Mexico?" ("Where is Mexico headed?")

Cardenas speaks tonight at Pima Community College West's Center for the Arts, at 7 p.m. Tonight's lecture will be in Spanish.

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