MEXICAN OFFICIAL BALKS AT CERTIFICATION

MEXICO CITY, - Mexico's interior minister says he did
not explicitly discuss U.S. certification of Mexico as an ally in the
war against drugs on a recent visit to the United States.

In a radio interview in Mexico City today, Francisco Labastida Ochoa
said the certification issue was ``in the air'' but was not
specifically addressed when he met earlier this week with U.S.
officials, including Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Attorney
General Janet Reno and drug czar Barry McCaffrey.

Most Mexican politicians reject the certification process, saying it
infringes on national sovereignty. Labastida is considered a
presidential front-runner.

``We do not think it is fair that one country starts certifying
others. We have never accepted that, and we never will,'' Labastida
said.

Labastida's visit to Washington was in advance of a trip to Mexico by
U.S. President Bill Clinton on Sunday and Monday.

Clinton must decide by the end of this month which countries should be
penalized for not cooperating with Washington's counter-narcotics
efforts. Clinton certified Mexico last year despite objections in Congress.

Countries not certified are denied most forms of bilateral assistance,
and the United States is required to vote against financing through
such international lending institutions as the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund.

Labastida said he did discuss Mexican anti-drug efforts with U.S.
officials. They include the planned purchase of $500 million worth of
high-technology equipment over the next three years.

The minister said his visit was aimed at accelerating the process of
obtaining this equipment, which requires export permits.