MEXICAN LEADER EAGER TO WORK WITH U.S. AGAINST DRUG CARTELS

WASHINGTON - U.S. and Mexican authorities are nearing agreement on an
aid package to support Mexico's courageous new offensive against the
deadly drug syndicates that threaten both our nations. The stakes are
high for the United States: We depend on Mexico as a cooperative
neighbor and trade partner, and most of the marijuana and as much as
90 percent of the cocaine consumed in this country pours over our
southern border.

If Mexico cannot make significant headway against the bloodthirsty
cartels, our security and our people will suffer the consequences.

Since President Felipe Calderon's victory last year, Mexican
authorities have stepped up efforts to fight drug sales and have
paved the way for increased cooperation with the United States.
Calderon has subjected hundreds of senior-ranking police officials to
polygraph testing and has dismissed thousands more suspected of
corruption. After years of internal legal obstacles, Mexico has
captured and extradited major traffickers to the United States in
record-breaking numbers.

Conceding the corruption or weakness of some local police forces,
Calderon has deployed 20,000 Mexican soldiers to help match the
firepower of murderous drug gangs.

Mexican officials - as jealous of their national sovereignty as we
are of ours - have set aside historical sensitivities and welcomed
unprecedented cooperation between law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Now is the time to forge a genuine partnership.

Certain elements of such a partnership are uncontroversial and are
likely to win universal support. Surveillance and eavesdropping
equipment, radar for aerial interdiction, aircraft for drug-tracking
teams and assorted special training are reportedly already part of
the agreement.

Under the administration of Vicente Fox the two governments began
working together, with U.S. aid directed at database improvements,
law enforcement training and material support for border-crossing
posts. Increased coordination in these areas should be part of the
new agreement.

Other elements will prove to be more challenging to legislate or to implement.

Congress and the Bush team will have to set aside feelings of
distrust and polarization if they are to forge a deal that can win
ample funding and long-term, bipartisan backing.

U.S. lawmakers need to be brought into the negotiating process so
that they can have confidence in the plan and will not seek to
micromanage the fight against drugs in a way that will demoralize our
Mexican friends.

We must strike a balance between congressional meddling and the
oversight necessary to sustain funding and political support.

Moreover, waiting for the regular appropriations cycle means an
eight-month delay. President Bush should move quickly to request
urgent supplemental funds, and Congress should do its duty by acting
with the urgency this task demands.

Our government must reassure its Mexican counterparts that meaningful
help is on the way.

Of course, Mexico is wary of U.S. activity on Mexican soil, and
American law enforcement and intelligence officials have been
skeptical of their counterparts. But the U.S. government can and
should demonstrate its commitment to fostering rather than
controlling the program. For their part, Mexican authorities must
open themselves to the scrutiny that builds trust.

Law enforcement cooperation will prove vital if we are to match the
seamless integration with which our criminal enemies operate across
our common border.

Both sides will be understandably reluctant to cede jurisdiction over
their respective territories. The Europol model, which leaves
enforcement responsibilities to national and local police while
coordinating information exchange, threat analyses and technical
support at a supranational level, may provide a template for
successful cooperation.

No less important than a focus on security is aid for legal reform
and judicial capacity-building. Now that the political will for
serious reform exists, Mexico needs the funding and personnel to
properly investigate and prosecute drug traffickers and the corrupt
officials who abet them. Fortunately, Calderon's national development
plan promotes a culture of accountability, transparency and respect
for the rule of law that will strengthen Mexico's institutions
against drug corruption.

Calderon has already demonstrated his commitment to rescuing his
country from a criminal drug machine, and he welcomes increased U.S.
support. There are few challenges more grave than those posed by the
deadly cartels Mexico is fighting. And there are few opportunities
more precious than helping our Mexican friends win the battle on our doorstep.