DATE=3/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228805
TITLE=SENATE-MEXICO (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
// RERUNNING FROM THURSDAY NIGHT TO CORRECT CR NUMBER //
INTRO: THE U-S SENATE HAS UPHELD PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECISION TO
CERTIFY MEXICO AS AN ALLY IN THE DRUG WAR, DESPITE CHARGES THE
MEXICAN EFFORT IS LAX AND CORRUPT. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS.
TEXT: THE SENATE REFUSED TO OVERTURN THE PRESIDENT'S FINDING
THAT MEXICO HAS COOPERATED FULLY IN BATTLING THE NARCOTIC TRADE.
THOSE WHO FAVOR DECERTIFICATION SAY THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING
LITTLE TO FIGHT DRUG CARTELS, PROSECUTE KINGPINS AND EXTRADITE
TRAFFICKERS.
CALIFORNIA SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN SAYS HEROIN, COCAINE AND NOW
METHAMPHETAMINE ARE POURING INTO HER STATE, WITH FEW SIGNS THE
MEXICAN AUTHORITIES ARE COOPERATING WITH THEIR U-S COUNTERPARTS.
// FEINSTEIN ACT //
UNTIL THIS EXISTS IN MEXICO, THE ADMINISTRATION'S
CERTIFICATION OF MEXICO WILL HAVE ALL THE WEIGHT OF AN
INFLATED BALLOON;IMPRESSIVE TO LOOK AT BUT HOLLOW AT THE
CORE AND EASILY PUNCTURED.
// END ACT //
BUT THE PRESIDENT'S SUPPORTERS SAY THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS - AND
DECERTIFICATION WOULD DO MUCH MORE HARM THAN GOOD. MINORITY
LEADER TOM DASCHLE CALLS IT A DRASTIC STEP THAT WOULD HURT BOTH
SIDES.
// DASCHLE ACT //
IT MEANS THE ABSOLUTE, COMPLETE DIVORCE FROM MEXICO
ECONOMICALLY. THERE WILL BE NO RELATIONSHIP WITH MEXICO
IF WE DECERTIFY. THIS IS NOT JUST A SIGNAL WE'RE
SENDING. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE, COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF
RELATIONSHIP. I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO DO THAT.
// END ACT //
IN THE END, THE MOVE TO DECERTIFY FAILED (54 TO 45). CONGRESS
ALSO DECLINED TO REVERSE THE CERTIFICATION A YEAR AGO, THOUGH
MEXICO FACED MANY OF THE SAME CRITICISMS THEN.(SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PT
27-Mar-98 9:30 AM EST (1430 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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