Former left-wing party spokesman to protest against Bush in Mexico

Gerardo Fernandez Norona, former spokesman for Mexico's left-wing opposition Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), said on Monday that he plans to send 200 toy soldiers to visiting U.S. President George W. Bush as an unusual anti-war protest.

"It will be occupational therapy for him," Fernandez told reporters as he arrived at Manuel Crescencio Terrejon International Airport, in Merida, the capital of Yucatan state, where Mexican President Felipe Calderon will meet Bush.

He added that he hoped it would help Bush to stop playing war with the world.

Fernandez was PRD spokesman for several months, but was removed from his post by party leader Leonel Cota, who did not agree with some of the statements Fernandez made on behalf of the party.