MEXICO TOUGHENS RULES FOR GIVING UP CRIMINALS

MEXICO CITY - Mexican authorities have long refused to extradite criminals
to the United States if they face the death penalty. Now it's not only
death, but life as well.

Reflecting their belief that all criminals can be rehabilitated and doubts
in Mexico about the application of justice, Mexican courts recently began
prohibiting the extradition of suspected murderers or dangerous drug
traffickers if they face the prospect of life in a U.S. prison.

Only last year, the Mexican Supreme Court approved the extradition of
Mexicans. But later clarifying the ruling, the court said any extradited
suspects who are convicted in the United States must be punished under
Mexican sentencing guidelines. Mexico forbids the death penalty and life in
prison.

Last month, a lower tribunal enforced the ruling when it rejected an
extradition request for a drug dealer known as a "king of amphetamines."
The tribunal reportedly ruled that a diplomatic note from U.S. officials
promising that prosecutors would not seek a life sentence was not a
sufficient guarantee.

As for the Mexican ruling, U.S. prosecutors have been struggling to figure
out how to comply. They say it may interfere with their duty to seek
appropriately stiff punishments for crimes against U.S. citizens and that
it will encourage more U.S. criminals to flee south of the border.

Just like the longer dispute over death sentences, the new rulings reflect
a profound cultural divide between the close neighbors. 1917 Constitution
may all play a role in preventing Mexican officials from condoning what
they believe are overly harsh judgments.

"It depends on the vision of life and death that each people has," said
Jose Elias Romero, a former Mexican prosecutor and now chairman of a Senate
human rights commission.