ANTI-DRUG LAW CRITICIZED BY MEXICO MAY CHANGE

A law that grades countries on their efforts to combat drug
trafficking, long criticized by Mexico and other nations, would be
altered substantially by a proposal passed unanimously Tuesday by the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Under current rules, foreign nations can lose U.S. aid if they are
found not to be ``fully cooperating with the United States'' in
anti-drug efforts. The new plan would have them judged instead on
adherence to international treaties or other commitments.

The vote was 17-0 on the measure, drawn up largely by Sen.
Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and endorsed by committee chair Jesse
Helms, R-N.C.