CONSUL GENERAL RESPONDS

Editor -- I am compelled to write in response to the misleading claims
in the March 3 editorial, entitled ``Removing the Fig Leaf.'' Your
editorial misleads readers by stating that narcotics and corruption
are worse than ever south of the border and ignores the indisputable
progress that Mexico has attained in the field. Last year alone:

1. Mexico eradicated record numbers of drugs. The eradication of marijuana
was 4 percent higher than the year before, and that of poppy seed was 21
percent higher.

2. No other country has eradicated more marijuana and opium poppy
plants than Mexico.

3. 34.3 tons of cocaine were seized, 48 percent more than the year before.

4. Some 1,800 weapons were confiscated.

5. Mexico arrested six key drug kingpins.

6. Eight drug kingpins were sentenced to a total of 162 years.

7. The Gulf Cartel was weakened by the arrest of Oscar Malherbe.

8. Six lieutenants of the Arellano Felix brothers were arrested.

9. And recently Mexico announced the framework of cooperation with the
U.S. on the jointly released Binational Drug Strategy.

CESAR LAJUD Consul General of Mexico San Francisco

Copyright San Francisco Chronicle 1998