DATE=2/25/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245981
TITLE=MEXICO/DRUG SMUGGLING (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=GREG FLAKUS
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IN MEXICO, POLITICAL FIGURES ARE REACTING WITH 
EMBARRASSMENT  AND ANGER OVER ACCUSATIONS MADE WEDNESDAY BY THE 
DIRECTOR OF THE U-S  DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION,  THOMAS 
CONSTANTINE INDICATING THAT OFFICIAL CORRUPTION IN MEXICO HAS 
HELPED DRUG CARTELS MAKE IT THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE OF NARCOTICS 
FOR THE UNITED STATES.  AS V-O-A'S GREG FLAKUS REPORTS FROM 
MEXICO CITY, NOT ALL MEXICANS ARE IN DISAGREEMENT WITH THE 
CRITICISMS.



TEXT:  AFTER SEEING PUBLISHED REPORTS OF MR CONSTANTINE'S 
REMARKS, MEXICAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS REACTED WITH STRONG WORDS, 
DEFENDING  THEIR NATION'S FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFCIKING. 

INTERIOR MINISTER FRANCISCO LABASTIDA SAID THE D-E-A DIRECTOR 
WAS-- IN HIS WORDS--"TOTALLY WRONG."  MR LABASTIDA SAID SUCH 
REMARKS HARM THE BI-NATIONAL EFFORT TO ESTABLISH UNDERSTANDING 
AND COOPERATION.  HE SAID MR CONSTANTINE HAD PORTRAYED A 
SITUATION IN WHICH THE GOOD PEOPLE ARE ALL ON ONE SIDE OF THE 
BORDER AND THE BAD ONES ON THE OTHER SIDE.

BUT SOME OPPOSITION FIGURES TOOK A DIFFERENT TONE.  FELIPE 
CALDERON, DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL ACTION PARTY, KNOWN AS THE 
PAN, TOLD REPORTERS THAT MEXICO NEEDS TO FACE THE TRUTH, HOWEVER 
UNPLEASANT.

                 /// CALDERON ACT (SPANISH) ///

MR CALDERON SAID "IT PAINS ME VERY MUCH AS A MEXICAN WHEN PEOPLE 
IN OTHER COUNTRIES SPEAK BAD OF MY COUNTRY,  BUT WHAT HURTS MOST 
IS THAT IT IS TRUE.  THE TRUTH IS THAT IN OUR COUNTRY, CORRUPTION
HAS REACHED ALL LEVELS AND HAS BECOME A WAY OF GOVERNING."

MR CALDERON AND OTHER OPPOSITION FIGURES HAVE CRITICIZED THE 
RULING  INSTITUTIONAL REVOLUTIONARY PARTY FOR ITS FAILURE TO DO 
MORE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS AND CRIME IN GENERAL.

MEANTIME, A PUBLIC OPINION POLL CONDUCTED IN MEXICO BY THE U-S  
INFORMATION AGENCY SHOWED WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR COOPERATION WITH
THE  UNITED STATES IN THE ANTI-DRUG EFFORT ON THE PART OF 
ORDINARY  MEXICANS.  OF THOSE QUESTIONED, 83 PERCENT FAVORED MORE
COOPERATION, AS OPPOSED TO 47 PERCENT IN A SIMILAR POLL IN 1996. 

THE POLL WAS TAKEN BEFORE THE NEWS OF THE D-E-A DIRECTOR'S 
CRITICISMS OF MEXICO.  THE RELEASE OF THE POLL RESULTS COMES ONLY
DAYS BEFORE THE CLINTON  ADMINISTRATION MUST CERTIFY MEXICO'S 
COOPERATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG SMUGGLING BEFORE THE U-S 
CONGRESS. (SIGNED).



NEB/PT

25-Feb-99 6:00 PM EST (2300 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.