MEXICO CITY (AP) -- A top Mexican official says both President
Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright have admitted
that U.S. agents made mistakes in a money-laundering sting that
snared two dozen Mexican bankers.
Foreign Secretary Rosario Green also says Mexico may try to
extradite and prosecute U.S. agents who violated Mexican law while
taking part in the sting named ``Operation Casablanca.''
Green spoke Monday night at a ceremony to swear in six new
ambassadors.
Mexican officials at first welcomed the Casablanca
money-laundering indictments announced May 18 in Washington, but in
recent days they have condemned the operation as an attack on
Mexico's sovereignty.
Officials from President Ernesto Zedillo on down have complained
that U.S. agents operated inside Mexico without their knowledge and
in violation of Mexican laws and international agreements.
``We will be firm in response to any action that injures the
integrity of the nation,'' the government's Notimex news agency
quoted Green as saying.
Green said both Clinton and Albright had called her to admit
procedural errors. She also said U.S. officials had promised to
cooperate with Mexico's investigation of the agents' activities.
U.S. officials say did not notify Mexico of the operation
because they feared endangering undercover agents. Mexico's
anti-drug operations often are infiltrated by drug gangs.
Operation Casablanca produced about 160 indictments last week.
At least two dozen Mexican bankers and several other Mexican
citizens were among those indicted. Many had been lured to the
United States, where they were arrested.
Attorney General Jorge Madrazo Cuellar said Mexico may file a
protest with the U.S. Congress.
