DROP CERTIFICATION PROCESS

The White House annually determines whether a nation is a cooperative
partner in the war on drugs. If a country is not doing enough, it is
decertified and faces econormc penalties. After President Clinton visited
Mexico this week, he hinted he would once again declare our neighbor to the
south a "full cooperating" partner in the drug war.

Over the past several years, the White House has resisted pressure from the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to withhold certification from Mexico.
Many members of Congress also want Clinton to send a clear message by
decertifying Mexico, as was done to Colombia. In reality, declaring Mexico
"certified" or "decertified" may send a symbolic message but would have
little impact on the drugs trade.

Proponents of decertification cite the administration's own statistics on
druis. According to the White House Office of National Drug Control
Policy, 59 percent of the estimated 176 tons of cocaine grown and processed
in South America in 1998 was shipped to the United States through Mexico.
So was a significant amount of heroin and methamphetamines.

Rep. John L Mica, R-Fla., introduced a bill in the House last year to
override Chnton's decision. He claimed the United States has "the right to
demand more from Mexico."

It's easy to see why he feels that way. The Mexican government refuses to
extradite major drug traffickers to this country or allow searches of boats
in its waters.

We must maintain pressure, but as in Colombia, drug cartels are an
insidious monster whose tentacles of corruption reach into many police
departments and courtrooms. Also, the quick, easy money from the
trafficking of drugs can itself be a strong narcotic in a poor nation, and
it is doubtful that suddenly decertifying it will do much to change it.

Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., sent a letter last month urging Clinton to
do away with the certfflcation process. Dodd cited the many countries that
consider it insulting and counterproductive. Since it is mostly symbolic,
that would not be a bad idea.

Of course, the most effective way to stop the flood of drugs crossing the
border is for the demand on this side to dry up -- which is the argument
made by the Mexicans. Unfortunately, we can't decertify some of our
citizens whose lifestyles fuel the drug traffic in the first place.