DRUGS TOP U.S. TALKS IN MEXICO

Clinton, Zedillo Discuss Trade, Environment Today

Merida, Mexico - President Clinton, romancing the press with
chocolates and the first lady with gold on Valentine's Day, seemed to
seek a post-impeachment thaw in relations strained by a year of scandal.

Before landing in Merida for a summit with Mexican leaders, the
Clintons made a rare appearance Sunday in the press cabin, where the
president distributed chocolates from a large heart-shaped box.

"Happy Valentine's Day," Clinton said to a dozen reporters and
photographers. "Isn't this the biggest heart you ever saw in your life?"

The first couple showed off Clinton's Valentine's Day present to his
wife: a heart-shaped gold pin.

"Brand-new," Hillary Rodham Clinton said when reporters asked about
the pin. Then she pointed to her husband and smiled.

Mexico has sentimental symbolism for the Clintons. They honeymooned in
the resort city of Acapulco after their 1975 wedding.

The chocolates were a gift to the first lady from her brother, Hugh
Rodham, said White House spokesman Joe Lockhart.

The Clintons' appearance in the press cabin was a surprise. During a
year dominated by Clinton's sex-and-deception scandal, he has avoided
reporters.

After his effort to sweeten relations with the press corps, Clinton
retired to his cabin, leaving reporters to wonder whether he might be
intending more regular contacts with the media after his impeachment
acquittal Friday in the Senate.

The Clintons arrived Sunday night in this city on the Yucatan
Peninsula, greeted by President Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico and his
wife, Nilda Patricia Velasco, as the national anthems of both
countries were played. Afterward, the Zedillos entertained the
Clintons at a dinner.

Today will be devoted to meetings on fighting drug trafficking, and on
trade and environmental issues. Clinton is scheduled to return to
Washington tonight.

The Clinton administration has two weeks in which to certify to
Congress that Mexico is fully cooperating with U.S. efforts to stop
the flow of illicit drugs northward.

Decertification would trigger reductions in American aid that could
damage the fragile economy in Mexico, the United States' second
largest trading partner, behind Canada.

While Mexico remains the largest trans-shipment point for cocaine
destined for the United States, the Clinton administration has begun
making the case for certifying Mexico's cooperation.

"The president has not made a decision," said National Security
Adviser Sandy Berger on Friday.

Berger stressed, though, that the administration is more interested in
encouraging progress than punishing failure.