U.S. POLICY OF FOREIGN DRUG CONTROL CRITICIZED

Barry McCaffrey, White House drug-control chief, Friday criticized the U.S.
policy of evaluating foreign countries on their counternarcotics efforts.

While calling the policy the "law of the land," McCaffrey suggested that it
builds resentment in Mexico and impairs anti-narcotics cooperation between
the two countries.

McCaffrey leaves for Mexico on Sunday, his first visit since the Clinton
administration certified Mexico in late February as fully cooperating with
U.S. efforts to curb cross-border drug trafficking.

He and his delegation will meet with President Ernesto Zedillo and Mexican
Foreign Ministry officials.

An effort in the Senate to overturn the certification was defeated by a
vote of 54-45 last week. A decision to decertify could have led to economic
penalties against Mexico.