STATE OF THE MEXICAN UNION with journalist MICHAEL STOTT April 29, 1997

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Questions asked in this forum: Does The United States have the right to certify or decertify anyone? Will the new Mexican drug agency remain free from corruption? Should the U.S. be thinking more about the problem of demand instead of supply from Mexico? Is an environmental disaster occurring quietly in Mexico? Will a new ambassador change U.S.-Mexican relations? What is being accomplished by President Clinton's and President Zedillo's trips? NewsHour Links February 27, 1997: Charles Krause interviews Sen. Diane Feinstein about her opposition to re-certifying Mexico. Oct. 4, 1996: Charles Krause analyzes EPR rebels attacks and their potential impact on the future stability of Mexico . Sept. 13, 1996: Learn about EPR activities in Mexico in an Online Forum with NewsHour foreign correspondent Charles Krause. March 20, 1996: An interview with Columbia's President Samper, discussing his country's decertification as an ally with the U.S. in it's war on drugs. The complete NewsHour coverage of Latin America. EXTERNAL LINKS A Map of Mexico Inter-American Development Bank The bio of Robert S. Gelbard, Assistant Secretary Of State For International Narcotics And Law Enforcement Affairs Senator Dianne Feinstein's press releases about Mexico.

Mexico will open a new drug-fighting agency and close its corruption -filled institute in the next few weeks. The former head of the institute was charged in February with being on the payroll of cocaine -trafficker Amado Carrillo Fuentes. Mexican officers have been drilled at the FBI training center in Quantico, VA and will set up investigation units in Mexico City and along the border with the United States. Recently, President Clinton "re-certified" Mexico as a helpful partner in the fight against drugs despite broad disagreement about Mexican effectiveness. Senator Dianne Feinstein sent a letter to President Clinton claiming that the Mexican government did not have the political will to deal with drug traffickers in Mexico and said that things have never been worse on the border between Mexico and the United States. Mexican Foreign Minister Jose Angel Gurria said "I think [decertification] would be a slap in the face to an ally." President Clinton will visit Mexico May 5-7 to address issues relevant to the United States and Mexico. Drug trafficking and extradition policies will figure prominently. He may also announce the naming of Massachussets Governor William Weld as the next U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Your questionshave been answered by Michael Stott, Reuters Bureau Chief of Mexico and Central America based Mexico City. Questions asked in this forum: Does The United States have the right to certify or decertify anyone? Will the new Mexican drug agency remain free from corruption? Should the U.S. be thinking more about the problem of demand instead of supply from Mexico? Is an environmental disaster occurring quietly in Mexico? Will a new ambassador change U.S.-Mexican relations? What is being accomplished by President Clinton's and President Zedillo's trips?

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