Clinton applauds election as testimony to Mexican democracy

McCaffrey speaks at the White House on Monday

July 3, 2000
Web posted at: 7:31 p.m. EDT (2331 GMT)

In this story: Hopes rise for increased anti-drug efforts New U.S. bill could reduce drug flow RELATED STORIES, SITES

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. President Bill Clinton on Monday praised Mexico's presidential election, saying it was a "vivid testimony to the depth of the democratic commitment of the Mexican people."

Clinton telephoned the victor, Vicente Fox of the National Action Party (PAN), from Camp David to offer congratulations on "his historic victory."

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He also telephoned the outgoing President Ernesto Zedillo of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), to "express my admiration for his extraordinary contributions to Mexico."

Fox resoundingly defeated Francisco Labastida, the PRI canidate, in Sunday's election -- the first PRI presidential defeat in 71 years.

"Mexico's national elections, the freest and fairest in the nation's history, stand as a vivid testimony to the depth of the democratic commitment of the Mexican people," Clinton said.

"Mexicans should be proud of the extraordinary steps they have taken during the last six years to strengthen and consolidate democratic institutions and set Mexico on a course of economic growth and prosperity," he said.

White House Drug Policy Director Barry McCaffrey also applauded Fox's victory and predicted improved anti- drug efforts between the two countries.

"I had the privilege of meeting with Mr. Fox earlier this year and he emphasized his strong commitment to confronting the drug issue," McCaffrey said in a statement.

"I am confident that the growing cooperation between our nations in engaging our common drug challenge will continue and strengthen," he said.

Clinton administration officials said Fox's election might lead to more progress on fighting corruption within the Mexican political system. Toward that end, the officials said, any reduction in drug trafficking could make Fox's job easier.

Administration officials also said they hoped new U.S. aid to fight drug production in Colombia would eventually have spillover effects in Mexico.

While Colombia is a leading drug-producing nation, a sizable portion of narcotics flow into the U.S. through Mexico, with which it shares a 2,000 mile border.

Some $2 billion in trade changes hands between Mexico and the United States.

Clinton is to sign legislation providing $1.3 billion in aid to the Colombian government to fight organized drug cartels that now control 40 percent of the nation's territory and pose a direct threat, U.S. officials say, to Colombia's democratic government.

If the aid succeeds in reducing drug exports from Colombia, administration officials believe it could reduce shipments through Mexico, thereby allowing the government to wage a more concentrated attack on drug trafficking and the graft they say has often arisen from it.

Republicans in Congress have expressed concern with Mexico's anti-drug efforts and some have challenged the Clinton administration's decision to recertify Mexico as fully cooperating in the war on drugs.

"While there are still many challenges ahead for Mexico and the United States, the counter-drug cooperation we have built over the last few years is a foundation which transcends any particular election or change of administration," McCaffrey said. "Our nations understand the critical importance of continued action."

White House Correspondent Major Garrett and State Department Correspondent Andrea Koppell contributed to this report.

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Campaign site of Vicente Fox
PAN -- National Action Party (in Spanish)
PRI (in Spanish)
Federal Electoral Institute
Internet resources on Mexican politics

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