Pubdate: Sun, 14 Feb 1999 Source: Chicago Tribune (IL) Section: Sec. 1 Copyright: 1999 Chicago Tribune Company Contact: http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Forum: http://www.chicagotribune.com/interact/boards/ Author: Paul de la Garza and Roger Simon CLINTON TURNS FOCUS TO MEXICO MEXICO CITY -- When the Zedillo administration got word that President Clinton was coming to Mexico for a "working visit" this weekend, the first question some officials asked was, "Why?" Not that Clinton is unwelcome here. The U.S. and Mexico have generally good relations, and other than the annual question of whether Mexico will be certified as a partner in the war on illegal drugs, there are no pressing issues that require a visit by the world's most powerful leader. What then, some wondered, would bring Clinton to Mexico, and for less than 24 hours? The trip was planned before Friday's impeachment vote was scheduled in the Senate. Clinton and President Ernesto Zedillo have a longstanding agreement to meet every six months. They last met in the U.S. in June following a session at the United Nations. But some analysts suggest now that the Senate has voted not to remove the president from office, the White House is bent on showing the American people and the world that Clinton is very much in control of his own agenda. "He wants to get the focus back . . . by looking presidential," said John Bailey, a political scientist who studies Mexican politics at Georgetown University. Consequently, said Bailey, "He'll be seen doing foreign policy stuff." Over the years, Mexican government officials say, Clinton and Zedillo have established a good working relationship. It was Clinton who helped push a bailout package of Mexico after the peso's value plunged in December 1994, dragging the nation into economic chaos. Clinton is widely seen as a champion of Mexico's interests, especially in certifying every spring that Mexico is doing its part in the war on illegal drugs and is therefore eligible for U.S. aid, which amounted to $40 million in 1997. Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton are scheduled to arrive Sunday evening in Merida on the Yucatan Peninsula. On Monday, Clinton and Zedillo are scheduled to meet privately for an hour before opening up the session to other officials. The president and Mrs. Clinton are to fly back to Washington in the afternoon. Clinton initially had planned to visit hurricane-ravaged Central America on this trip as well, but delayed it until next month. Mike Hammer, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said the meeting would touch on a host of issues. "In essence," he said, "we try to maintain a close relationship with Mexico and we have a wide range of issues for the trip," including "a review of NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement), which has been a very successful treaty, and migration issues." Hammer said there is growing concern in Washington and Mexico City at the number of migrants passing through Mexico on the way to the U.S., a result of the damage from Hurricane Mitch in Central America last year. Hammer said some environmental issues would be discussed, especially in the border area. "General law-enforcement issues" will round out the agenda, he said. By March 1, Clinton must certify to Congress that Mexico is "fully cooperating" in the drug war. The White House, however, said no action would be taken until Secretary of State Madeleine Albright makes a recommendation, expected within the next two weeks. Every year, Mexican officials bristle when the certification issue arises. Many view the process as hypocritical, given the United States' high demand for illegal drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Patrick Henry