DATE=2/13/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245512
TITLE=DRUG CERTIFICATION (L)
BYLINE=JAMES BLEARS
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT

INTRO:  MEXICAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROSARIO GREEN IS WARNING THAT IF
THE UNITED STATES FAILS TO GRANT MEXICO ITS ANNUAL DRUGS 
CERTIFICATION AS A NATION BATTLING AGAINST THE SCOURGE OF ILLEGAL
NARCOTICS, THEN MEXICO WILL IMMEDIATELY CEASE COOPERATING WITH 
WASHINGTON ON THIS KEY LAW AND ORDER ISSUE.  AN AFFIRMATIVE 
DECISION FOR MEXICO WOULD MEAN HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN
FUNDS, AID PROGRAMS, EQUIPMENT AND SPECIALIST TRAINING.  JAMES 
BLEARS REPORTS FROM MEXICO CITY.

TEXT:  STATISTICS RELATING TO DRUG SEIZURES, ARRESTS, 
EXTRADITIONS AND SUCCESSFUL OPERATION IN 1998 ARE SIGNIFICANTLY 
DOWN IF COMPARED TO 12 MONTHS EARLIER.

HOWEVER, MEXICAN AUTHORITIES HAVE JUST PLEDGED 500-MILLION 
DOLLARS TO COMBAT THE DRUG CARTELS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.  
AND MEXICAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROSARIO GREEN EXPLAINS THAT THE 
UNITED STATES SHOULD STOP TRYING TO MEASURE EFFORTS IN JUST COLD 
STATISTICS AND CONCENTRATE MORE ON THE GLOBAL PICTURE.

U-S CONGRESSIONAL LAW STATES THAT COOPERATION WILL BE WITHHELD 
FROM COUNTRIES WHICH ARE JUDGED TO HAVE MADE INSUFFICIENT EFFORTS
TO TACKLE THE ISSUE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS.  MRS. GREEN IS WARING THAT 
IF MEXICO IS DE-CERTIFIED, THEN THEY TOO WOULD RIGIDLY APPLY THE 
LETTER OF THE LAW AND RELATIONS IN THIS SPHERE WOULD BE INSTANTLY
SEVERED.

                         // GREEN ACT //

         SO WHENEVER I REFER TO THE FACT THAT IF THE UNILATERAL 
         EVALUATION PUTS MEXICO INTO A DIFFICULT SITUATION, 
         COOPERATION WOULD STOP.  I AM ALWAYS REFERRING TO THE 
         U-S LAW.

                          // END ACT //

U-S AUTHORITIES HAVE ALSO NOTED THAT FEW MEXICANS ARE EXTRADITED 
NORTH OF THE BORDER TO ANSWER DRUG CHARGES.  BUT MRS. GREEN SAYS 
THAT THE DUE PROCESS OF MEXICAN LAW HAS TO RUN ITS COURSE AND THE
PEOPLE ACCUSED ARE FULLY ENTITLED TO EXERCISE THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS.

                         // GREEN ACT //

         EVEN IF I SIGN THE EXTRADITION PAPERS, THESE PEOPLE 
         STILL HAVE LEGAL RESOURCES.  THIS IS PART OF THE LEGAL 
         SYSTEM IN MEXICO AND WE HAVE TO RESPECT THE LEGAL SYSTEM
         OF OUR OWN COUNTRY.

                          // END ACT //

U-S AMBASSADOR TO MEXICO, JEFFREY DAVIDOW, SAYS THE SPECIFIC 
ISSUE OF CERTIFICATION WILL BE DISCUSSED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON AND
MEXICAN PRESIDENT ERNESTO ZEDILLO WHEN THEY MEET IN THE SOUTHERN 
MEXICAN CITY OF MERIDA ON MONDAY, MOST EXPERTS AGREE THAT THE TWO
MEN WILL EXPLORE METHODS OF CLOSER COOPERATION, ESPECIALLY ALONG 
THEIR VULNERABLE TWO-THOUSAND MILE BORDER. THAT MEANS THAT IN 
SPITE OF SOME RESERVATIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE 
CERTIFICATION  ISSUE, MEXICO WILL AGAIN GAIN APPROVAL BY THE END 
OF THIS MONTH.  (SIGNED)

NEB/JB/CBL-FAX/SD

13-Feb-99 9:57 PM EST (0257 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.