BUSH DELISTS GUATEMALA AS ANTI-DRUG ALLY

WASHINGTON -- President Bush dropped Guatemala from the list of U.S. allies
in counter-narcotics efforts Friday, concluding that it had "failed
demonstrably" during 2002 to meet international drug control standards.

It was the first time that Guatemala has received a failing grade in the
annual assessment of other nations' drug-fighting efforts. Myanmar and
Haiti also were singled out for poor performances, as they were a year ago.

Pervasive corruption was a principal reason for Guatemala's poor rating.
"Police stole twice the quantity of drugs they officially seized," said
Paul Simon, the State Department's top counter-narcotics official.

Bush can impose economic sanctions against countries that do not measure up
on anti-drug policy, but he waived sanctions for Guatemala and Haiti.

Sanctions were continued against Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.