Pubdate: Fri, 23 Aug 2002
Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2002 Albuquerque Journal
Contact:  http://www.abqjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10
Author: Guillermo Contreras

MEXICAN OFFICIAL SAYS DRUG TRAFFICKING DOWN

Drug trafficking is not as prevalent in Mexico as it was just a few years 
ago, a high-ranking member of President Vicente Fox's administration said 
Thursday in Albuquerque.

Mexican Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Enrique Berruga Filloy, who was in 
New Mexico for a speaking engagement, credited the apparent change in 
trafficking to improved bilateral cooperation between the United States and 
Mexico. He said those efforts need to continue.

"Three years ago, practically any news out of Mexico that appeared daily on 
television in the United States had to do with drug trafficking," Berruga 
said. "Today, not only is it difficult to find news about drug trafficking 
in Mexico, but when there are such reports, they're good news."

Berruga made the remarks at a news conference at the Mexican Consulate in 
Albuquerque before he spoke at the national summit of the Hispanic American 
Police Command Officers Association on Thursday night.

His comments were reflective of Fox's campaign promise to get tough on the 
drug trade.

Over the past two years, the Fox administration has sought, and received, 
the suspension of the United States' drug-certification process toward 
Mexico. Under certification, the U.S. served as a watchdog over Mexico's 
efforts to combat drug trafficking, but the process has been criticized for 
straining relations.

Mexico insists the process "impeded cooperation between the United States 
and Mexico more than it helped," Berruga said. "We hope it's an issue that 
will disappear."

Answering questions in Spanish and English at the news conference, Berruga 
also spoke about trade between Mexico and New Mexico, plans to replace an 
eliminated cabinet-level department that helped Mexicans living in the 
United States and jurisdictional issues. He said improved bilateral 
relations in the past two years have helped the "procurement of justice 
along the border."

Turning to trade, Berruga said that because there are no major cities along 
the New Mexico-Chihuahua border, New Mexico is not as big a trading partner 
for Mexico as Texas or California.

He also called for more communication between New Mexico and Mexico.
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