Calls for unity and protest in Mexico

MEXICO CITY -- Felipe Calderon spoke of his hopes for a US immigration accord yesterday, while his leftist rival laid plans to deny him the presidency and urged supporters to take to the streets to protest the election results.

Meeting with foreign reporters, Calderon said he hoped to reach an accord with Washington leading eventually to the legalization of millions of undocumented Mexicans living in the United States -- something that eluded Mexico's outgoing president and draws strong opposition to the north.

The conservative politician also said he would seek help for Mexican farmers who will be hurt when a clause under the North American Free Trade allows US corn and bean imports in 2008.

Calderon expressed confidence that Mexico's political uncertainty after his razor-thin victory in Sunday's election would not destabilize the country and said his opponent, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador , wouldn't be an obstacle to his new government.

Lopez Obrador's Democratic Revolution Party, meanwhile, laid the foundation for a long, tough fight over Thursday's official vote count that gave Calderon the victory with a margin of less than 244,000 votes out of a total 41 million ballots.

The party said its legal challenge urging the top electoral court to order a recount of every ballot cast will allege vote fraud at thousands of polling places and campaign meddling by President Vicente Fox and business groups.

Calderon's campaign ads also were illegally harsh, a top Lopez Obrador adviser said.

There were scattered protests in favor of the leftist candidate , but the capital was calm. Lopez Obrador, who has a history of mobilizing millions, first called on his supporters to turn out today in Mexico City's main square.

But his coalition later urged mass rallies coast to coast, while pledging that the protests would be ``peaceful and law-abiding."

Democratic Revolution Party members also urged foreign governments not to recognize a Calderon government until the legal process is complete .

No candidate can be declared ``president elect" until the Federal Electoral Tribunal weighs any complaints of illegal campaign practices and certifies the vote count.

The parties have until Monday to file complaints with the seven-judge court, which can change the official results and even order new elections. The tribunal has until Sept. 6 to certify the winner .