US STILL EVALUATING MEXICAN-BORDER ISSUE

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration said it is reviewing state
requests for deployment of National Guard troops on the U.S. border
with Mexico, but that it doesn't have immediate plans to press the
military into border patrols. With Mexican soldiers facing off in
northern Mexico against heavily armed drug gangs, there are fears
that gun battles could spill across the border, or that the U.S.
could see a sudden stream of refugees seeking to escape the violence.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry last month asked for troops to be deployed.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs on Thursday clarified remarks made
by President Barack Obama in a Wednesday media interview that were
interpreted by some to mean that U.S. troops would be sent to the
border. "Our long-term challenges relating to many policy decisions
around the border are not going to be solved in that long term
through the militarization of the border," Mr. Gibbs said.

Concern about drug violence in Mexico is raising the profile of the
White House drug czar's office, after years during which it was
overshadowed by the government's post-Sept. 11, 2001, focus on
terrorism. Introducing Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske as the
nominee to head the White House Office of Drug Control Policy on
Wednesday, Vice President Joe Biden drew attention to the Mexican
drug war and the need for a new border policy. Mr. Kerlikowske, in
his remarks, said he plans to pursue ways to reduce drug demand in
the U.S., a strategy that government officials in Mexico and other
countries have long urged.

"Our nation's drug problem is one of human suffering, and as a police
officer, but also in my own family, I have experienced the effects
that drugs can have on our youth, our families and our communities,"
said Mr. Kerlikowske, whose stepson has been arrested on drug
charges. Seattle voters approved a ballot initiative in 2003 that
urged police to treat marijuana violations as a low priority.

At the time, Mr. Kerlikowske noted that Seattle police already had
such a policy. Congress on Thursday held its third hearing in as many
days focusing on the Mexico drug violence.

A concern among lawmakers is whether the Department of Homeland
Security would be ready to mobilize in response to a potential
drug-war disaster along the border.

Roger Rufe, head of operations and planning at the agency, told the
House homeland security subcommittee that his office routinely works
with the Department of Defense to plan for worst-case scenarios.

But he portrayed military involvement as a last resort. "We are not
contemplating that at the present time," he said.

The Obama administration is still formulating its drug policy.

The drug-czar position has been demoted from cabinet level.

But White House officials say Mr. Kerlikowske, if confirmed, would
have full access to the White House, and particularly to Mr. Biden,
who has been active on drug policy.