Today, the leaders of US, Canada and Mexico arranged a trilateral meeting at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, labeled as the "Three Amigos Summit." The meeting focused on the most acute issues of economic development and border security. "Security and prosperity go hand-in-hand," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said yesterday. But the fact that these issues coincide does not mean that interests of the neighbors do.

The meeting revealed not the intention to cooperate but mostly contradictions and obstacles for it. American officials want Mexico to stop the flow of cocaine and illegal immigrants, including possible terrorists, through its border holes and tunnels. But for President Fox, a tighter border keeps Mexicans from desperately needed jobs. He aggressively replied to the project passed by the House of Representatives about a security wall between Tijuana and San Diego.

"No country that is proud of itself should construct walls," he said.

The US and Canada also differ in their views. The US was bitterly disappointed as Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin decided recently to shun the U.S. development of an anti-ballistic missile shield.

"There are two rules in Canadian politics,"said former Canadian Finance Minister John Manley at the North American forum. "The first rule is not get too close to the United States. The second rule is you should not get too far from the United States."

So far tiny results of the meeting need more efforts and common points to become a real pledge of cooperative policy.