CLINTON HAILS MEXICO'S DRUG ENFORCEMENT

$4 Billion In Credit Given To Businesses

MERIDA, Mexico Cooperation on drug-law enforcement has "clearly
improved" between the United States and Mexico, President Clinton
said Monday.

Despite Mexico's disappointing extradition record and a drop last year
in cocaine and heroin seizures, Clinton found positive things to say
about Mexico's efforts. He welcomed a plan announced two weeks ago to
invest up to $500 million in a new anti-drug initiative and declared,
"The United States is ready to do all we can to support you."

By law, the president has to judge Mexico's performance on drug
enforcement by March 1. Mexico would be hit with economic penalties if
Clinton says its performance is poor.

Clinton and Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo addressed 1,400 people
in the domed Peon Contreras Theater in downtown Merida, Yucatan's capital.

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Attorney General Janet Reno,
Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, drug policy coordinator Barry
McCaffrey and Export-Import Bank chief James Harmon signed a series
of agreements with their Mexican counterparts.

The key initiative was a two-year, $4 billion line of Export-Import
Bank credit for Mexican businesses that "buy American." In addition, a
civil aviation accord will liberalize flights between the United
States and Mexico, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of
dollars to airlines.

Another accord was aimed at promoting border safety and human rights,
addressing Mexican complaints about the deaths of illegal immigrants.

Reno said she was impressed with Mexico's anti-drug commitment,
"recognizing that it can't happen overnight but that sometimes there
are more frustrations than there are victories. . . .I think they can
succeed, given time."

Clinton said he and Zedillo "made progress in areas today where, to be
charitable, we have not always agreed. Not long ago, we could not have
had a conversation about drugs without falling into an unwinnable
argument about who is to blame. That has changed.

"The American people recognize we must reduce our demand for drugs,"
the president said. "The Mexican people recognize that ending the drug
trade is a national security and public health imperative for you."

Zedillo said, "For Mexicans, the commitment to fight drugs is first
and foremost a commitment to ourselves, to our children . . . to our
safety and to our future."

Another Mexican priority, Zedillo said, is "a safe, clean and
productive border - a source of pride for the communities that share
that border."