AMERICA'S ARROGANT DRUG REVIEW

While it has some merit, Vicente Fox's proposed open border between
Mexico and the United States also raises a number of difficult
questions, and is unlikely to become a reality anytime soon.

But another of his ideas - ending the U.S. drug certification program
- - is right on target and should win the support of everyone the
Mexican president-elect visits with on his U.S. visit, including
President Clinton, Vice President Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

Under this statutory program, the United States can restrict trade and
take other punitive measures if our govern ment concludes that certain
foreign governments are failing to do enough to curtail the smuggling
of drugs. The program accomplishes nothing, of course. It is also an
arrogant slap in the face of affected countries.

Imagine how the United States would feel if Mexico held the upper hand
in trade and announced a policy stating that, if the United States did
not do more to stem the de mand for drugs among its population, Mexico
would exact sanctions. After all, the U.S. demand has a corrupting
influence on Mexican society, and Mexicans have as much to complain
about as the United States does.

Fox's election last month marked the emergence of Mexico as a true
democracy. He deserves support from a U.S. government that has every
reason to want him to succeed. To build a strong, mature relationship
with a democratically invigorated Mexico, the United States must treat
that land and its representatives with more respect than in the past.