Source: Dallas Morning News Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com Pubdate: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 Author: David LaGesse / The Dallas Morning News SENATE REJECTS MOVE TO DECERTIFY MEXICO AS DRUG-FIGHT ALLY WASHINGTON - The Senate on Thursday rejected an effort to brand Mexico an uncooperative ally in the fight against drug trafficking. The 54-45 vote came after only 90 minutes of debate, reflecting Congress' lessened desire this year to challenge U.S. support of Mexico's anti-drug efforts. The House, which last year voted to decertify Mexico as a cooperating ally, this year is not expected to even debate the question. But critics said Thursday that Mexico has lost ground over the past year and has not progressed as the Clinton administration has said. "The situation, by virtually any measurement, is worse now than it was a year ago," said Sen. Paul Coverdell, R-Ga. "We are losing this struggle, and it is not appropriate for us to say otherwise." Mexico has not arrested any of its top traffickers, failed to extradite any Mexican citizen to the United States on drug charges and failed to participate in bilateral task forces, Mr. Coverdell said. The Senate had until month's end to overturn President Clinton's decision last month to certify Mexico as fully cooperating in the drug fight. U.S. law requires the president to certify whether American allies are aiding in anti-drug efforts. Decertifying Mexico would have meant the loss of some U.S. benefits and a loss of international prestige. No senators offered glowing praise for Mexico, through which analysts say traffickers move a majority of the illicit drugs consumed in the United States. Most opponents of the decertification effort instead said they preferred encouraging Mexico instead of confronting the country. "The answer is not to make an enemy of Mexico," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas. "I don't think harsh rhetoric against our neighbors is the way to do it." Ms. Hutchison, who played a key role in derailing last year's effort to decertify Mexico, again voted against the move. Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, voted to give Mexico a failing grade. "We cannot continue a policy based solely on Mexico's good intentions and America's hopes," he said. Supporters of the administration's decision said Mexico has shown a new willingness to attack traffickers, including legislation that has strengthened its laws against organized crime and money laundering. Mexico also rebuilt its counter-drug agency after the arrest last year of its top official on corruption charges, said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn. The arrest of the agency's chief, former Army Gen. Jesus Gutierrez Rebollo, came just before the debate last year on certifying Mexico and spurred sharp rebukes in Congress. Mexico at least deserved credit for making the arrest "even though it was a major embarrassment," Mr. Dodd said. Mr. Dodd criticized a leak Thursday of U.S. intelligence that described deep corruption in Mexico's military, which is playing a larger role in that country's fight against the drug trade. The intelligence report was described Thursday by The New York Times, which said the information gave substance to allegations leveled by Mr. Rebollo in his trial last year. Mr. Dodd said the allegations were "self-serving" on the part of Mr. Rebollo. The administration has said it cannot verify Mr. Rebollo's allegations of widespread drug corruption in the senior ranks of Mexico's army. Other backers said Mexico has worked more closely with the United States, crafting a binational strategy for fighting the drug trade and extraditing more criminals to face trial in the United States. But drug prices in the United States are falling, a sign that traffickers enjoy growing success in moving their product through Mexico, critics said. And most of the year's binational cooperation amounted to political agreements worth little to the police waging the fight on the streets, said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., a sharp critic of Mexico's efforts. "Handshakes between men and women in suits do not stop drug trafficking," she said.