[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 36 (Wednesday, March 19, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         MEXICO'S PRESIDENT ZEDILLO IS WRONG ON DECERTIFICATION

  (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, Mexico's President Ernesto Zedillo made some 
very troubling comments last week following the House vote to decertify 
his country for its miserable performance in the war against drugs. 
President Zedillo said, ``This is where we draw the line.'' He had it 
wrong. This is where we draw the line. Mr. Zedillo went on to say that 
Mexico's sovereignty and dignity as a nation are not negotiable.
  I would point out to Mr. Zedillo that the dignity of his nation was 
not diminished by the House action last week, but by the failure of his 
own government to responsibly fight against the scourge of narcotics 
traffic through Mexico.
  Blocks from this Nation's Capitol, one can see the horror of drug 
abuse. Whether we are talking about cocaine, marijuana, or 
methamphetamine, there is a pretty good chance it came to this city and 
other American cities like my community, Cincinnati, from Mexico. 
Sadly, the demand is here, and as Americans we have an obligation to do 
something about the demand, but as a neighbor, Mexico has an obligation 
to become an equal partner in that battle.
  Up to now they have failed. That is why this body finally drew the 
line. It is about time.

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