PENTAGON MULLS MEXICAN 'COPTER OPTIONS

MEXICO CITY, - Pentagon officials are in Mexico to
determine thefuture of 72 Huey UH-IH helicopters donated by the
United States to combat drug trafficking.

The United States donated the aircraft to the Mexican air force in
1997, along with four C-26 observation aircraft for counter-drug
missions. Mechanical problems have kept the Hueys grounded for
more than a year.

Mexico grounded the helicopters on March 29, 1998, when the U.S. Army
identified a problem with excessive engine vibration. Mexico refuses
to fly them until they can operate without restrictions, according to
the Pentagon.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Drug Enforcement Policy and
Support Ana Maria Salazar is in Mexico City today to find a way to
get the helicopters airborne again, according to the Pentagon.

One option under consideration is for the United States to help Mexico
maintain a smaller fleet of helicopters. The remaining aircraft would
be returned to the United States or transferred to other countries
for counter-drug work.

Mexico is the principal transit point for most cocaine and marijuana
consumed in the United States, and for over 4 metric tons of heroin
used in the United States each year, says the Pentagon.