DATE=3/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228808
TITLE=LATAM/DRUGS (L-ONLY CQ)
BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE
DATELINE=SAN JOSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  A SENIOR AMERICAN ANTI-NARCOTICS OFFICER SAYS THE UNITED 
STATES IS WORRIED ABOUT DRUG-RELATED CORRUPTION WITHIN SENIOR 
RANKS OF THE MEXICAN ARMY.  THE ISSUE AROSE AT A CONFERENCE OF 
ANTI-NARCOTICS POLICE CHIEFS IN COSTA RICA, AS WE HEAR FROM 
CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE.



TEXT:   THE CHIEF OF OPERATIONS FOR THE U-S DRUG ENFORCEMENT 
AGENCY, GREG WILLIAMS, SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION AVOIDS COOPERATION 
WITH THE MEXICAN ARMY BECAUSE IT FEARS INTELLIGENCE WILL BE 
PASSED ON TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS.  INSTEAD, HE SAYS, THE D-E-A WORKS
WITH MEXICAN POLICE.

               /// INSERT WILLIAM ENGLISH ACT ///

         THE D-E-A IS AWARE THAT THERE IS CORRUPTION IN THE 
         MEXICAN MILITARY.  WE PRESENTLY, RIGHT NOW, ARE WORKING 
         CLOSELY WITH THE MEXICAN POLICE AND WE HAVE A VERY GOOD 
         WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.  WE ARE CONCERNED.  WE 
         KNOW IT EXISTS.  WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE INFORMATION THAT
         WE HAVE AGAINST CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN 
         MEXICO.  BUT WE ARE CONFIDENT WE HAVE A LEVEL AND A 
         GROUP OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN MEXICO THAT WE CAN 
         WORK WITH.

                         /// END ACT ///

MR. WILLIAMS SPOKE AT THE END OF A THREE-DAY CONFERENCE IN COSTA 
RICA THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER ABOUT 150 ANTI-NARCOTICS POLICE 
OFFICIALS FROM 38 COUNTRIES IN NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA, EUROPE 
AND ASIA.

THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS U-S AUTHORITIES HAVE CONCLUDED THE 
MEXICAN MILITARY IS MORE DEEPLY INVOLVED WITH DRUG TRAFFICKERS 
THAN THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED.  ACCORDING TO AN 
ARTICLE PUBLISHED THURSDAY, A CLASSIFIED D-E-A INTELLIGENCE 
REPORT SAYS LAST YEAR'S ARREST OF A MEXICAN GENERAL IN CHARGE OF 
DRUG ENFORCEMENT FOLLOWED SECRET MEETINGS BETWEEN MEXICAN ARMY 
OFFICERS AND THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST DRUG MAFIA.

THE MEXICAN FOREIGN MINISTRY IS ASKING THE UNITED STATES TO 
CONFIRM IF THE INTELLIGENCE REPORT EXISTS AND, IF SO, TO SHARE 
ITS CONTENT.   (SIGNED).

NEB/MWD/WTW

26-Mar-98 10:44 PM EST (0344 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.