MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexican President Felipe Calderón on Wednesday accused U.S. presidential candidates of "anti-Mexican" posturing and asked the U.S. Congress not to impose conditions on a $1.4 billion anti-drug aid package. "The only theme in the (U.S.) electoral campaign is to compete to see who can be the most swaggering, macho and anti-Mexican," Calderón told a local radio station, Enfoque. He did not name any particular candidate or party. CAMPAIGN ISSUE: 2008 candidates on immigration Mexico's government has expressed disappointment at President Bush's inability to change U.S. immigration policy to legalize the status of millions of undocumented Mexican workers in the USA. Calderón has urged change since taking office a year ago, but he has championed the issue less vocally than his predecessor, Vicente Fox. "I find the greatest sensitivity in the U.S. government, some in Congress," Calderón said. He said there was a "lack of understanding and aggravation, hostility toward Mexico" among Americans in general. Calderón, who rarely gives interviews, is a conservative leader who has generally favored Washington's policies on trade and anti-drug efforts. He has made cracking down on drug smugglers a centerpiece of his administration, and U.S. drug enforcement agencies credit his efforts with a decline in cocaine supply in many U.S. cities. However, Calderón appeared to reject any added conditions on a proposed $1.4 billion U.S. anti-drug aid package that had been negotiated with Washington, saying, "I cannot accept any submission or subordination." The proposal, dubbed the Merida Initiative, is meant to give Mexico aid, training and equipment to fight drug trafficking, which Washington sees as a U.S. national security problem. The funding still awaits approval in Congress, and some U.S. legislators have said the program may need safeguards to prevent corruption or human rights abuses by Mexican military and law enforcement personnel. "I need that technology," Calderón said. "Give it to me. And give it to me without conditions." Calderón also criticized U.S. involvement in Iraq, saying U.S. leaders were "spending Americans' money and putting the government into debt to finance their military adventure, and that is squeezing out private investment." Fox's refusal to endorse military action against Iraq in a 2003 United Nations vote led to cooler relations between Mexico and the United States. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Enlarge By Alfredo Guerrero, AFP/Getty Images Mexican President Felipe Calderón blasted U.S. candidates in the 2008 race to the White House Wednesday, for "anti-Mexican" posturing. Conversation guidelines: USA TODAY welcomes your thoughts, stories and information related to this article. Please stay on topic and be respectful of others. Keep the conversation appropriate for interested readers across the map.