CLINTON PRAISES MEXICO AS HE CERTIFIES IT AS PARTNER IN DRUG WAR

Narcotics: The decision is expected to be opposed in Congress,where
lawmakers believe the nation hasn't done enough.

Washington-Despite large-scale, cross-border drug smuggling and a
decline in drug seizures, President Clinton certified Mexico on Friday
as a fully cooperating partner with U.S. counternarcotics efforts.

The decision, part of an annual evaluation of drug problem countries,
could touch off strong opposition in Congress, where many lawmakers
are exasperated by Mexico's inability to stem U.S. bound narcotics
flows. To overturn the president's decision, a two-thirds vote of both
houses is required.

By law, countries found not to be fully cooperative are "decertified"
and can be subject to economic sanctions unless the president grants
them a waiver on national interest grounds.

"Mexico is cooperating with us in the battle for our lives," Clinton
said in a speech in San Francisco. Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo
is "working hard to tackle the corruption traffickers headlong," he
said, adding, "He cannot win this battle alone. And neither can we."

In justifying the Mexico decision, Barry McCaffrey, who heads the
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said that last
year, Mexico implemented legislative reforms, arrested numerous drug
traffickers and sustained massive interdiction and eradication programs.

He told a news conference that outright decertification of Mexico
would devastate efforts to build long-term cooperation.

Nonetheless, official figures indicate that cocaine seizures in Mexico
were down 35 percent last year and that eradication of opium poppy did
not keep pace with new cultivation. The overall harvest increased 25
percent, government figures show.

Meanwhile, a group of eight senators, led by Sen. Charles Grassley,
R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate caucus on drug issues, wrote to Clinton
and recommended that in next year's certification process, Mexico be
judged more by results instead of efforts.

They recommended that the evaluation be measured by strict criteria,
including Mexico's willingness to extradite drug chieftains, its
ability to arrest and prosecute money launderers and leaders of
narcotics syndicates, and its record on drug eradication and seizures.

Joining seven Republicans in signing the letter was Sen. Dianne
Feinstein, D-Calif.

Mexico was one of 28 countries evaluated by Clinton.

Colombia was certified as being fully cooperative after being
decertified last year. At the time, Clinton waived the economic
penalties against Colomia. The country's clean bill of health reflects
the close ties the Clinton administration has established with
President Andres Pastrana, who took office six months ago.

All told, 22 countries were certified as fully cooperative with
American counterdrug efforts.

Meanwhile, a State Department study released simultaneously said
Mexico continues to be the primary route for northbound South American
cocaine and is a major source of marijuana, heroin and
methamphetamine.

The report is issued annually and evaluates international narcotics
control efforts. It said the United States and its allies made solid
gains in controlling narcotics trafficking in 1998, citing progress in
crop reduction, drug interdiction and other areas.