Pubdate: Thu, 04 May 2006
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2006 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Mark Stevenson, Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Mexico (Mexico)

MEXICAN PRESIDENT BACKS OFF DRUG DECRIMINALIZATION BILL

Fox's Move Comes After Unusual U.S. Pressure

MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Vicente Fox refused to sign a drug 
decriminalization bill Wednesday, hours after U.S. officials warned 
the plan could encourage "drug tourism."

Fox sent the measure back to Mexico's Congress for changes, but his 
office did not mention the U.S. criticism.

"Without underestimating the progress made on the issue, and with 
sensitivity toward the opinions expressed by various sectors of 
society, the administration has decided to suggest changes," a 
statement from his office said.

Fox said he will ask "Congress to make the needed corrections to make 
it absolutely clear in our country, the possession of drugs and their 
consumption are, and will continue to be, a criminal offense."

On Tuesday, Fox's spokesman had called the bill "an advance" and 
pledged the president would sign it. But the measure, passed Friday 
by Congress, drew a storm of criticism because it eliminates criminal 
penalties possession of small amounts of heroin, methamphetamines and 
PCP, as well as marijuana and cocaine.

Weighing in, the U.S. government Wednesday expressed a rare public 
objection to an internal Mexican political development, saying anyone 
caught with illegal drugs in Mexico should be prosecuted or given 
mandatory drug treatment.

"U.S. officials ... urged Mexican representatives to review the 
legislation urgently, to avoid the perception that drug use would be 
tolerated in Mexico, and to prevent drug tourism," U.S. Embassy 
spokeswoman Judith Bryan said.

There are concerns the measure could increase drug use by border 
visitors and U.S. students who flock to Mexico on vacation.

Bryan said the U.S. government wants Mexico "to ensure that all 
persons found in possession of any quantity of illegal drugs be 
prosecuted or be sent into mandatory drug treatment programs."

The legislature has adjourned for the summer, and when it comes back, 
it will have an entirely new lower house and one-third new Senate 
members following the July 2 elections, which will also make the 
outgoing Fox a lame duck.

However, Sen. Jorge Zermeno, of Fox's conservative National Action 
Party -- a supporter of the bill -- said he thought Congress would be 
open to changing the legislation to delete a clause that extends to 
all "consumers" the exemption from prosecution that was originally 
meant to cover only recognized drug addicts.

"The word 'consumer' can be eliminated so that the only exemption 
clause would be for drug addicts," Zermeno told The Associated Press. 
"There's still time to get this through."

The bill contained many points that experts said were positive: It 
empowered state and local police -- not just federal officers -- to 
go after drug dealers, stiffened some penalties and closed loopholes 
that dealers had long used to escape prosecution.

But the broad decriminalization clause was what soured many, both in 
Mexico and abroad, to the proposal.
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