Drug Effort Focus Of Visit To Mexico Senior Clinton Aides Prepare Way For Presidential Visit

A delegation of senior Clinton administration officials paid a visit to Mexico City on Wednesday and met with President Ernesto Zedillo and his top aides.

The American officials included Sandy Berger, the national security adviser, Gen. Barry McCaffrey, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Thomas McLarty, Clinton’s special envoy for the Americas, and James Dobbins, the director for Latin America on the National Security Council.

Officials refused to provide specific details about the objective of the talks, saying only that the officials discussed joint anti-narcotics efforts and preparations for Clinton’s first state visit to Mexico, which is scheduled for April 11-12.

The meeting with Zedillo came as he and Clinton face questioning from legislative critics about their handling of joint anti-narcotics efforts.

Clinton has been stung this week by influential American lawmakers who have criticized him for certifying Mexico as a reliable ally in the drug war, despite evidence of traffickers’ overwhelming influence, and by disclosures that Mexico held back damaging information until after the certification decision was taken, on Friday.

Zedillo is facing stiff questioning from Mexican legislators who have accused his government of putting forward a public image as a defender of sovereignty even as it has made humbling concessions behind the scenes.

The Americans also met with Foreign Minister Angel Gurria, Attorney General Jorge Madrazo and Luis Tellez, Zedillo’s chief of staff, according to aides of Zedillo.

“We have come here today at the request of President Clinton,” Berger told reporters, “to meet with our colleagues and with President Zedillo to express President Clinton’s commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Mexico relationship, based on mutual respect and shared interests, including in our common fight against drugs.”