Pubdate: Mon, 13 Dec 1999
Source: Augusta Chronicle, The (GA)
Copyright: 1999 The Augusta Chronicle
Contact:  (LTEs from GA & SC only)
Address: 725 Broad Street, Augusta, GA 30901
Website: http://www.augustachronicle.com/

MEXICO'S DRUG 'DENIAL'

Even as FBI and Mexican anti-drug agents last week dug up hundreds of
bodies buried in a mass grave on the ranch of a Mexican drug lord across
the border from El Paso, there were rumblings of discontent among many
Mexicans about U.S. meddling with their nation's sovereignty.

It was reflected in a joint news conference held by FBI director Louis
Freeh and Mexican Attorney General Jorge Madrazo. The Mexican press threw
Madraza on the defensive with implied criticism of cooperation with U.S.
authorities on Mexican soil.

The thrust of the questioning clearly suggested Mexico should handle its
own "dirty linen" without meddling by U.S. outsiders. A presidential
candidate even agreed. "We don't require any direct intervention from any
police force anywhere," huffed leftist Cuauhtemoc Cardenas on the campaign
trail.

Mexico is like a person with brain cancer worrying about a cut finger.
Those horrific killing fields provide all the evidence needed to prove that
Mexico is not adequately handling its growing narco-terrorist problem. It's
becoming more like Colombia everyday.

Mexico, in fact, should learn from Colombia's tragic experience. For years,
it was too proud to ask for significant U.S. help to get rid of Marxist
narco terrorists who were taking over the countryside and terrorizing the
government.

Not until the Colombians were about to lose their sovereignty to the Red
drug cartels did they turn to the Americans. But even now it might be too
late for them. But it's not too late for Mexico. Without U.S. help that
country will continue to sink under a wave of drug-fueled violence.

Madrazo got it right when he told his media critics, "Cooperation does not
harm sovereignty. What hurts it is drug trafficking." Hopefully, all
Mexicans will come to recognize that truth in time to save their nation.
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