A Different View On Mexico (3/14/97)

No To Mexico's Recertification (3/13/97)

Senate Compromises On Mexico Recertification

Lawmakers issue harsh report on anti-narcotics record, but don't overturn Clinton's certification

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 20) -- In an accommodation to the White House, the Senate approved compromise legislation that criticizes Mexico's actions in fighting drugs, but upholds the president's decision to recertify Mexico as an official partner in the drug war.

Voting 94-5, senators broke with the House, which last week voted to overturn President Bill Clinton's Feb. 28 finding that Mexico is cooperating in the drug war. The House decision to deny "certification" infuriated the Mexican government. Countries that are not certified as effective drug war partners face economic sanctions.

Barry McCaffrey, the White House's chief of anti-drug operations, hailed the Senate vote as a "mandate to put certification behind us," saying it would allow the United States to work in a "partnership on both sides of the border" in the fight against illegal drugs.

Still, the Senate was highly critical, saying, "There has been ineffective and insufficient progress in halting the production and transit through Mexico of illegal drugs."

The legislation's findings include:

• That much of the cocaine in the U.S. comes from Mexico.
• That Mexico has not implemented effective laws against organized crime and money laundering.
• That drug cartels operate freely in Mexico.
• That Mexico hasn't cooperated with the U.S. on extradition requests.

The Senate resolution requires a presidential report by Sept. 1 on U.S.-Mexico efforts to combat drug trafficking, police corruption and money laundering, and to strengthen border enforcement, interdiction and anti-drug education.