Pubdate: Thu, 04 May 2006
Source: South Bend Tribune (IN)
Copyright: 2006 South Bend Tribune
Contact:  http://www.southbendtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/621
Author:  Mark Stevenson, AP
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

BOWING TO U.S. PRESSURE, FOX BACKS OFF DRUG PROPOSAL

Decriminalization Measure Sent Back To Mexico Lawmakers

MEXICO CITY -- Mexican President Vicente Fox refused to sign a drug 
decriminalization bill Wednesday, hours after U.S. officials warned 
the plan could encourage "drug tourism."

Fox sent the measure back to Congress for changes, but his office did 
not mention the U.S. criticism.

"Without underestimating the progress made on the issue, and with 
sensitivity toward the opinions expressed by various sectors of 
society, the administration has decided to suggest changes," 
according to a statement from his office.

Fox said he will ask "Congress to make the needed corrections to make 
it absolutely clear in our country, the possession of drugs and their 
consumption are, and will continue to be, a criminal offense."

On Tuesday, Fox's spokesman had called the bill "an advance" and 
pledged the president would sign it. But the measure, passed Friday 
by Congress, drew a storm of criticism because it eliminates criminal 
penalties for possession of small amounts of heroin, methamphetamines 
and PCP, as well as marijuana and cocaine.

Weighing in, the U.S. government Wednesday expressed a rare public 
objection to an internal Mexican political development, saying anyone 
caught with illegal drugs in Mexico should be prosecuted or given 
mandatory drug treatment.

"U.S. officials ... urged Mexican representatives to review the 
legislation urgently, to avoid the perception that drug use would be 
tolerated in Mexico, and to prevent drug tourism," U.S. Embassy 
spokeswoman Judith Bryan said.

There are concerns the measure could increase drug use by border 
visitors and U.S. students who flock to Mexico on vacation.

Bryan said the U.S. government wants Mexico "to ensure that all 
persons found in possession of any quantity of illegal drugs be 
prosecuted or be sent into mandatory drug treatment programs."

The legislature has adjourned for the summer, and when it comes back, 
it will have an entirely new lower house and one-third new Senate 
members following the July 2 elections.

However, Sen. Jorge Zermeno, of Fox's conservative National Action 
Party -- a supporter of the bill -- said he thought Congress would be 
open to changing the legislation to delete a clause that extends to 
all "consumers" the exemption from prosecution that was originally 
meant to cover only recognized drug addicts.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman