DATE=3/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228805
TITLE=SENATE-MEXICO (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

// RERUNNING FROM THURSDAY NIGHT TO CORRECT CR NUMBER //

INTRO:  THE U-S SENATE HAS UPHELD PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECISION TO
CERTIFY MEXICO AS AN ALLY IN THE DRUG WAR, DESPITE CHARGES THE 
MEXICAN EFFORT IS LAX AND CORRUPT.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS.

TEXT:  THE SENATE REFUSED TO OVERTURN THE PRESIDENT'S FINDING 
THAT MEXICO HAS COOPERATED FULLY IN BATTLING THE NARCOTIC TRADE. 
THOSE WHO FAVOR DECERTIFICATION SAY THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING 
LITTLE TO FIGHT DRUG CARTELS, PROSECUTE KINGPINS AND EXTRADITE 
TRAFFICKERS.

CALIFORNIA SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN SAYS HEROIN, COCAINE AND NOW 
METHAMPHETAMINE ARE POURING INTO HER STATE, WITH FEW SIGNS THE 
MEXICAN AUTHORITIES ARE COOPERATING WITH THEIR U-S COUNTERPARTS. 
 

                       // FEINSTEIN ACT //

         UNTIL THIS EXISTS IN MEXICO, THE ADMINISTRATION'S 
         CERTIFICATION OF MEXICO WILL HAVE ALL THE WEIGHT OF AN 
         INFLATED BALLOON;IMPRESSIVE TO LOOK AT BUT HOLLOW AT THE
         CORE AND EASILY PUNCTURED.     

                          // END ACT //

BUT THE PRESIDENT'S SUPPORTERS SAY THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS - AND 
DECERTIFICATION WOULD DO MUCH MORE HARM THAN GOOD.  MINORITY 
LEADER TOM DASCHLE CALLS IT A DRASTIC STEP THAT WOULD HURT BOTH 
SIDES.    

                        // DASCHLE ACT //

         IT MEANS THE ABSOLUTE, COMPLETE DIVORCE FROM MEXICO 
         ECONOMICALLY. THERE WILL BE NO RELATIONSHIP WITH MEXICO 
         IF WE DECERTIFY. THIS IS NOT JUST A SIGNAL WE'RE 
         SENDING. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE, COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF 
         RELATIONSHIP.  I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO DO THAT.     

                          // END ACT //

IN THE END, THE MOVE TO DECERTIFY FAILED (54 TO 45).  CONGRESS 
ALSO DECLINED TO REVERSE THE CERTIFICATION A YEAR AGO, THOUGH 
MEXICO FACED MANY OF THE SAME CRITICISMS THEN.(SIGNED)



NEB/DS/PT

27-Mar-98 9:30 AM EST (1430 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.