Pubdate: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 Source: Sacramento Bee (CA) Copyright: 1999 The Sacramento Bee Contact: P.O.Box 15779, Sacramento, CA 95852 Feedback: http://www.sacbee.com/about_us/sacbeemail.html Website: http://www.sacbee.com/ Forum: http://www.sacbee.com/voices/voices_forum.html WARM WELCOME FOR CLINTON IN MEXICO With a new lease on his presidency, President Clinton basked in a warm reception Sunday here in the tropical capital of the Yucatan, where even raucous pre-Lent carnival celebrations were quieted in honor of his arrival. The president was greeted with a bear hug by Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo at an airport festooned with Mexican and U.S. flags and a giant illuminated "Bienvenidos a Mexico" sign. Pictures of the two presidents were plastered throughout the pretty city known for its crumbling, pastel-colored turn-of-the-century mansions. The affectionate welcome came even though the leaders are expected to address such thorny issues as drug policy and immigration during the one-day visit by Clinton. While he did not come bearing huge gifts, the two men are expected to sign one agreement liberalizing air travel and another providing $4 billion in credit for Mexican importers of U.S. products. Mexico has emerged as the No. 2 importer of U.S. goods as trade to much of the world has stagnated because of the global economic crisis. The trip was Clinton's first excursion out of the White House since he was acquitted Friday by the Senate of charges relating to his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. But it was immediately clear that the president's impeachment trial has cost him little, if any, popularity south of the border. From senior Cabinet officials to the man in the street, Mexicans were jubilant about the visit of a leader who has supported them and their economy even when it was difficult for him politically. "President Clinton is a friend of Mexico, a personal friend of President Zedillo, and we give him a warm welcome," said Foreign Minister Rosario Green during a pre-trip news conference. The president of Mexico's Senate said that Clinton's acquittal was "favorable." "We're really pleased it turned out this way," said Maria de los Angeles Moreno. In the city streets, packed with carnival revelers singing, dancing and dousing one another with shaving cream, the welcome was equally warm. "Even if he has another Lewinsky, we don't care. He's a good president, better than Zedillo," said Jose Lavadores, a 50-year-old engineer sipping beer at a downtown celebration. There were only some noses out of joint because the government shut down the party eight hours earlier than usual, at 4 p.m., because of security concerns related to the president's arrival. Clinton was thinking about another holiday as he made his way to Mexico aboard Air Force One Sunday afternoon. He and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton spread Valentine's cheer throughout their plane, passing out chocolate candy from a large heart-shaped box. "Happy Valentine's Day," the president told reporters in a rare visit to the back of the plane, where they sit. "Isn't this the biggest heart you ever saw in your life? This is a better kind of heart of darkness." Hillary Clinton was wearing a gold-colored, heart-shaped pin on her dark suit. When asked if it was new, she replied, "Brand-new." Then she pointed to her husband and smiled. The Clintons have a particular fondness for Mexico because they honeymooned in Acapulco. The president is known to love Mexican food. - --- MAP posted-by: Patrick Henry