US DEFENDS MEXICO'S DRUG COMMITMENT

WASHINGTON (AP) As Secretary of State Madeleine Albright met with a top
Mexican official Wednesday, the State Department defended Mexico's
commitment to combating drug trafficking and the level of its cooperation
with U.S. law enforcement officials.

But spokesman James P. Rubin suggested that Mexico's best efforts may be not
be enough to overcome the drug kingpins and the billions of dollars at their
disposal.

"There is a difference between cooperation and success," Rubin said,
responding to a Washington Post article Wednesday that described the results
of Mexico's counterdrug effort as "dismal."

It said that by almost any measure, Mexico made no significant progress in
reducing drug trafficking. As an example, it said seizures of cocaine,
marijuana and heroin fell significantly over the past year.

Rubin said he had no information on the allegation.

Counterdrug cooperation was high on the agenda of Albright's meeting with
Mexican Interior Secretary Francisco Labastida, who oversees domestic
security. The meeting also laid the groundwork for a visit to Mexico this
weekend by President Clinton.

The Clinton administration is reviewing the cooperation of some 30 countries
that are either used for drug production or transiting of drugs. Countries
found not to be fully cooperating can lose certain economic benefits.
Announcements are expected at the end of the month.

Over the objection of some in Congress, Mexico has been "certified" as fully
cooperating each year since Congress mandated the process in 1986.

Rubin said it is hard to overestimate the challenge facing Mexico.

"We all need to bear in mind that there is the sheer magnitude of the drug
trafficking problem that both Mexico and the United States are confronting
together," Rubin said.

"While we're both devoting huge resources to combating the problem, the
traffickers have billions of dollars at their disposal and are entirely
unprincipled as they ply their elicit trade."

Rubin also praised the "courageous leadership" of Mexican President Ernesto
Zedillo, who, he said, is "strongly committed" to countering what Mexicans
see as their No. 1 security threat.

"And they are cooperating more closely with the United States at virtually
every level than ever before," he said.

Rubin added that the Mexican performance is not as negative as it was
portrayed in the Post article.

As an example of cooperation, he said there has been extensive
behind-the-scenes cooperation on multiple, ongoing Drug Enforcement
Administration cases. He said Mexico has agreed to transfer Mexican
prisoners in several cases to appear as witnesses in U.S. trials.

Rubin also noted that Mexico recently announced a plan for additional
spending of nearly $500 million over three years for new planes, ships,
radar and other law enforcement equipment.