MEXICAN LEGISLATORS MACEDONIO AND RODRIGUEZ TALKS DURING A NEGOTIATIONS ON THE 2002 FEDERAL BUDGET, 2001-12-30 (photo)

Mexican legislators Felix Salgado Macedonio (L) and Rufino Rodriguez talk during marathon budget negotiations on the 2002 federal budget and a controversial fiscal reform package at the nation's lower house in Mexico City, December 30, 2001. Congress has until midnight December 31 to pass next year's budget, the second for the conservative national action party (PAN) of President Vicente Fox. The Mexican economy has been hard hit by the economic slowdown in the United States, the final destination for about 85 percent of Mexico's exported goods. REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar DA/HK