SENATE REJECTS MOVE TO DECERTIFY MEXICO AS DRUG-FIGHT ALLY

WASHINGTON - The Senate on Thursday rejected an effort to brand Mexico an
uncooperative ally in the fight against drug trafficking.

The 54-45 vote came after only 90 minutes of debate, reflecting Congress'
lessened desire this year to challenge U.S. support of Mexico's anti-drug
efforts.

The House, which last year voted to decertify Mexico as a cooperating ally,
this year is not expected to even debate the question.

But critics said Thursday that Mexico has lost ground over the past year
and has not progressed as the Clinton administration has said.

"The situation, by virtually any measurement, is worse now than it was a
year ago," said Sen. Paul Coverdell, R-Ga. "We are losing this struggle,
and it is not appropriate for us to say otherwise."

Mexico has not arrested any of its top traffickers, failed to extradite any
Mexican citizen to the United States on drug charges and failed to
participate in bilateral task forces, Mr. Coverdell said.

The Senate had until month's end to overturn President Clinton's decision
last month to certify Mexico as fully cooperating in the drug fight. U.S.
law requires the president to certify whether American allies are aiding in
anti-drug efforts.

Decertifying Mexico would have meant the loss of some U.S. benefits and a
loss of international prestige.

No senators offered glowing praise for Mexico, through which analysts say
traffickers move a majority of the illicit drugs consumed in the United
States. Most opponents of the decertification effort instead said they
preferred encouraging Mexico instead of confronting the country.

"The answer is not to make an enemy of Mexico," said Sen. Kay Bailey
Hutchison, R-Texas. "I don't think harsh rhetoric against our neighbors is
the way to do it."

Ms. Hutchison, who played a key role in derailing last year's effort to
decertify Mexico, again voted against the move. Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas,
voted to give Mexico a failing grade.

"We cannot continue a policy based solely on Mexico's good intentions and
America's hopes," he said.

Supporters of the administration's decision said Mexico has shown a new
willingness to attack traffickers, including legislation that has
strengthened its laws against organized crime and money laundering. Mexico
also rebuilt its counter-drug agency after the arrest last year of its top
official on corruption charges, said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.

The arrest of the agency's chief, former Army Gen. Jesus Gutierrez Rebollo,
came just before the debate last year on certifying Mexico and spurred
sharp rebukes in Congress.

Mexico at least deserved credit for making the arrest "even though it was a
major embarrassment," Mr. Dodd said.

Mr. Dodd criticized a leak Thursday of U.S. intelligence that described
deep corruption in Mexico's military, which is playing a larger role in
that country's fight against the drug trade. The intelligence report was
described Thursday by The New York Times, which said the information gave
substance to allegations leveled by Mr. Rebollo in his trial last year.

Mr. Dodd said the allegations were "self-serving" on the part of Mr. Rebollo.

The administration has said it cannot verify Mr. Rebollo's allegations of
widespread drug corruption in the senior ranks of Mexico's army.

Other backers said Mexico has worked more closely with the United States,
crafting a binational strategy for fighting the drug trade and extraditing
more criminals to face trial in the United States.

But drug prices in the United States are falling, a sign that traffickers
enjoy growing success in moving their product through Mexico, critics said.

And most of the year's binational cooperation amounted to political
agreements worth little to the police waging the fight on the streets, said
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., a sharp critic of Mexico's efforts.

"Handshakes between men and women in suits do not stop drug trafficking,"
she said.