AMERICANS, MEXICANS BLAME EACH OTHER IN POLL

WASHINGTON -- Americans and Mexicans blame each other for illegal drug
trafficking and believe the other has benefited more from free trade in
North America, according to a survey of national attitudes released Tuesday.

The study, conducted by the polling company Louis Harris & Associates Inc.,
also revealed that an overwhelming majority of Mexicans believe the U.S.
government is unfair to Mexicans who illegally enter and reside in the
United States. A small majority believes the U.S. government mistreats
Mexicans who legally live north of the border.

In addition, the Harris poll showed Mexican displeasure with President
Clinton, despite his controversial rescue of Mexico's economy four years
ago.

Louis Harris conducted the survey of both countries between April 8 and May
3 to gauge each nation's sentiment toward the other and to measure Mexicans'
views of the likely candidates in their presidential election next year.
Company Chairman Humphrey Taylor said American and Mexican attitudes mirror
a global trend in which citizens of one nation will say that another has
caused all the ills while reaping all the benefits of the international
relationship.

On the subject of drugs, 50 percent of the 4,500 Mexicans surveyed said
Americans' appetite for buying and using drugs is the main culprit for the
illegal trade. By contrast, of the 1,006 Americans surveyed, 48 percent
blame Mexico for failing to take strong action against Mexican drug dealers.

As for imports and exports, a majority of Mexicans, 73 percent, believe the
North American Free Trade Agreement has been good for the United States,
while 47 percent say the accord has been bad for Mexico. North of the
border, 57 percent of Americans report that the pact has paid dividends for
Mexico, and only 39 percent say it has been beneficial for the United
States.

The independent survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent,
Louis Harris reported.

With regard to immigration, 82 percent of Mexicans believe the U.S.
government treats Mexicans sneaking across the border unfairly. In addition,
84 percent of Mexicans say the U.S. government mistreats Mexicans living
illegally in the United States.

A majority of Mexicans, 53 percent, also believe the U.S. government treats
unfairly their countrymen who legally reside in the United States.

Much of this perceived unfairness results from the sense of "community"
Mexicans have with family members and friends who have left Mexico to live
in the United States legally, particularly those residing in the border
states of Texas, Arizona and California, said Vicente Licona, director
general of Indemerc Louis Harris, the pollster's Mexico affiliate.

"The border does not exist for them," Licona said.

Humphrey, though understanding the difference of opinion between Americans
and Mexicans on drugs and NAFTA, said he was "surprised" with survey results
showing that 67 percent of Mexicans believe Clinton is not "a friend of
Mexico." The company chairman said he had no explanation for the displeasure
with Clinton, especially in light of the U.S. president's
multibillion-dollar loan to Mexico in 1995 despite intense opposition from
many Americans.

As for the Mexican election next year, the survey showed Guanajuato Gov.
Vicente Fox leading expected candidates Roberto Madrazo, governor of
Tabasco, and Mexico City Mayor Cuauhtemoc Cardenas. But Humphrey cautioned
that the Harris poll should not be regarded as a forecast of who will
succeed President Ernesto Zedillo but as a barometer of how the candidates
stand now.