ALBRIGHT HAILS MEXICO'S ANTI-DRUG PERFORMANCE

Hints Passing Evaluation Likely

OAXACA, Mexico (AP) -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, hailing
close ties with Mexico, all but promised Sunday that Mexico need not
fear a failing grade next month in the Clinton administration's annual
evaluation of its neighbor's counterdrug performance.

Albright and Mexican Foreign Secretary Rosario Green praised the
levels of cooperation that the countries have reached on a range of
issues. Green said the U.S.-Mexican "dialogue of the deaf" of previous
years is past.

Mexico and other countries that serve as drug producers or transit
points have complained bitterly about the yearly process under which
those deemed to be not fully cooperating with U.S. control efforts can
be subject to economic penalties.

In some years, there has been almost a cliffhanger atmosphere in the
countdown toward the State Department decision on whether Mexico
should be "certified" as fully cooperating or "decertified" for not
doing enough in the drug war.

Some administration officials periodically have advocated a decision
to decertify but were overruled.

Any suspense over the State Department's decision on Mexico this year,
due at the end of February, seemed to evaporate Sunday when Albright
said Mexican cooperation has been "at a very good level."

At another point, Albright said, "Our problems are not as much with
each other as they are with those who are trying to undermine what we
are trying to do." This year's certification process involves an
evaluation of Mexico and 25 other countries.

Green said certification did not come up during discussions Sunday at
this picturesque city in Mexico's deep south, Albright's last stop on
a three-day visit to Latin America.

Green noted that the two countries have greatly enhanced mechanisms of
cooperation over the years. Both governments hope to hand over a solid
base for continued strong friendship when successor governments assume
power in both countries over the next year, she said.

Albright began her day with a trek to nearby Monte Alban, scene of a
once-thriving indigenous culture where settlers first arrived 2,500
years ago. An estimated 30,000 people lived there in the early part of
the first millennium.

The community has long since been abandoned, but trappings of the
culture remain in the numerous edifices still standing, and in
still-visible etchings carved into beige-colored stone.

"No setting has been more inspiring than this one," said Albright,
speaking to reporters after her return to Oaxaca. Before arriving
Saturday night, she visited Colombia and Panama; she returned to
Washington Sunday night.

In her comments on Mexican drug performance, Albright talked about
Mexico's willingness to cooperate and made no reference to results.

This tactic has been a sore point with some lawmakers who say the
State Department's evaluation should be more results-oriented.

Mexico was certified last February, even though its cocaine seizures
were down 35 percent in 1998 and eradication of opium poppies did not
keep pace with new cultivation. The overall harvest increased by 25
percent, government figures show.

Richard Fiano, chief of operations for the Drug Enforcement
Administration, said in congressional testimony in September that
"continuing reports of corruption and the rapidly growing power and
influence of the major organized criminal groups in Mexico cause us
great concern about the long-term prospects for success."

Weeks later, however, Mexican Attorney General Jorge Madrazo said
record hauls of 1,235 tons of marijuana and 185 kilograms of heroin
had been seized by Mexico over the previous year. He said the 25.5
tons of confiscated cocaine was among the highest totals in recent
years.

At the time, Barry McCaffrey, the Clinton administration's drug czar,
agreed that Mexican efforts were producing results.

"The numbers are spectacular," he said.