Political Quotes

“on February 26, 1998, the White House announced that it had certified Mexico as a partner in combating international drug trafficking, stating that the Mexican government was ``fully cooperating'' in the war on drugs. However, in stark contrast to this claim, an assessment by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) prepared in January and obtained by the New York Times states that, ``the Government of Mexico has not accomplished its counter narcotics goals or succeeded in cooperation with the United States Government * * * The scope of Mexican drug trafficking has increased significantly along with the attendant violence.'' I believe the yearly certification process is a misguided way to deal with the international drug problem. It applies a black and white standard to a complex problem that, more than anything else, is caused by the seemingly insatiable demand for drugs here in our own country. I am encouraged by Senator Dodd's efforts and of other senators to pursue a new approach. I want to support that effort. In addition to bipartisan criticism in the Congress, foreign officials have called the certification process demeaning and ineffectual. However, until that process is changed--and I hope it is--it remains U.S. law and the administration is bound to implement it in good faith.”