MEXICO FRETS AT POLITICAL STRINGS ATTACHED TO US ANTI-DRUG HELP

MEXICO CITY - Foreign Minister Rosario Green has declared that
law-enforcement agencies and the military in Mexico are prepared to fight
drug traffickers without U.S. equipment and other logistical support.

The assessment, in a report handed to members of the Mexican Senate
yesterday, reflected growing Mexican frustration over political strings
attached to U.S. anti-drug assistance. In particular, Green's report was
prompted by Mexico's recent return to the U.S. Army of 72 Vietnam War-era
helicopters that were given to Mexico for drug interdiction, but which
turned out to be too old and expensive to operate.

The timing of Green's report proved embarrassing to Mexican and U.S.
officials who were participating in a Cabinet-level bilateral conference in
Washington on cooperation against drug trafficking. It was hailed in Mexico
as a warning shot to the U.S. government, which is drafting its annual
report card on which foreign countries should be "certified" as helpful
partners in fighting drug trafficking.

Mexico's military also chafed under the restrictions placed on U.S.
equipment. The helicopters, along with some fixed-wing aircraft and other
equipment, went to Mexico under a no-cost lease arrangement that retained
some U.S. control over how Mexico used the arms.

Clinton administration officials, for example, complained to Mexican
counterparts when formerly U.S. helicopters were seen ferrying Mexican
troops to battle against insurgents in the southern state of Chiapas.

Another factor undermining relations is the U.S. arrest of numerous Mexican
bankers on money-laundering charges last year, which angered Mexico because
it was not notified of U.S. agents operating in Mexico.