MEXICO ANTI-DRUG COOPERATION KEY TO CLINTON TRIP

WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (Reuters) - President Bill
Clinton is set to take his first post-impeachment trial trip on
Sunday, travelling to Mexico to meet President Ernesto Zedillo amid
signs Clinton will renew certification of Mexico as a U.S.
drug-fighting ally.

The meetings scheduled for Sunday and Monday in the Yucatan city of
Merida are expected to produce agreements in a number of areas,
including new steps to fight drug smuggling and measures to limit
violence and pollution along the 2,000-mile (3,000 km) U.S.-Mexican
border, U.S. officials said.

The two leaders also are expected to hail benefits of the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) five years after United States,
Canada and Mexico entered into the pact, and discuss Mexico's recovery
from a financial crisis three years ago and its progress toward
greater democracy.

The summit takes place amid increasing pressure from Congress and
other sources for the United States to crack down on Mexican drug
smuggling and its associated government corruption by having Clinton
"decertify," or blacklist, Mexico as a drug-fighting ally.
Decertification would cut off U.S. economic and trade benefits.

"Right now, certification is casting a long shadow on the bilateral
relationship. Everything is being viewed through the lens of
certification," said Delal Baer, a Mexico expert with the Centre for
Strategic and International Studies.

The visit is Clinton's first trip since the Senate acquitted him in
his impeachment trial on Friday. Clinton is expected to face at least
some questions from reporters on the issue during a photo opportunity
with Zedillo on Monday.

The administration's decision on certification is due March 1. U.S.
officials say no recommendation has been made by U.S. Secretary of
State Madeleine Albright. But officials have also stressed they
believe Zedillo has made a bit effort to fight drug smuggling, and
made some progress.

"I think everyone thinks it's in the best interests of the United
States to continue to cooperate with Mexico," said a U.S. official,
speaking on condition of anonymity.

"(Anti-drug) cooperation with Mexico is very strong at every level.
President Zedillo has made this a top priority. ... I don't think
anyone can question his courageous leadership in tackling what is an
enormous problem," the official said.

U.S. National Security Adviser Sandy Berger on Friday told reporters,
"It's important to remember what the purpose of certification is and
what it is not. It is not to measure the extent of Mexico's problems.
It is intended to assess the extent of its cooperation with us in
overcoming them."

"President Zedillo is clearly trying to establish a clean government
and respect for the rule of law," Berger said.

But members of Congress have turned up the pressure on Mexico, citing
continued government corruption and setbacks in seizing drugs, and
raised the prospect of overturning any recertification decision by
Clinton.

Asked whether Clinton might be planning to brace Zedillo for a
possible decertification, James Dobbins, senior director of
Inter-American affairs for the National Security Council, said,
"Insofar as I'm aware, there's no intention to discuss the matter in
those terms."

But Dobbins said members of Congress would accompany Clinton on the
trip and would be free to express their own views on the issue.

Berger said new agreements between Mexico and the United States would
improve procedures for cross-border undercover operations and
strengthen a new police force established to protect borders, airports
and seaports.

On border issues, Dobbins said the countries hoped to make progress in
three-way talks that also include Canada aimed at allowing each
country to have input on environmental assessments made in connection
with projects in border areas.

In addition, Dobbins said, the two countries are expected to reach
agreements on reducing violence and improving safety in border areas.

Clinton is set to meet Zedillo for a private dinner on Sunday evening.
On Monday, in addition to meetings between Zedillo and Clinton and a
larger session with Cabinet members from both governments, Clinton is
scheduled to address business leaders in Merida.