CLINTON IN MEXICO; QUICK TRIP TO TACKLE DRUG, TRADE ISSUES.

Byline: Terence Hunt Associated Press 

In a swift pivot from impeachment, President Clinton began a quick summit in Mexico on Sunday to encourage its struggle against narcotics and government corruption, and grow its markets for U.S. products.

The president and his wife were greeted at their sunset arrival by Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo and his wife, Nilda. A military honor guard saluted the Clintons, and four children presented bouquets of flowers.

The two leaders and their wives were later headed to a private dinner.

Clinton, traveling abroad two days after his acquittal by the Senate, was accompanied by about a half-dozen members of his Cabinet, including retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; Attorney General Janet Reno; and Export-Import Bank President James Harmon.

Clinton brought with him a two-year, $4 billion line of credit from the U.S. bank to provide loans to Mexican businesses that buy American goods and services. He planned to announce the financing assistance today, an administration official said. It represents an increase of about $400 million annually over a similar $1.6 billion line of credit last year.

The visit - 23 hours from landing to takeoff - comes two weeks before the administration must render a formal evaluation of Mexico's cooperation in fighting drug trafficking. Clinton and Zedillo have met about every six months over the past few years, and officials say this meeting is intended simply to maintain good relations.

Soon after Air Force One was airborne, President Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton appeared in the press cabin of the plane passing out chocolate candy from a huge, heart-shaped box.

``Happy Valentine's Day,'' the president said. ``Isn't this the biggest heart you ever saw in your life? This is a better kind of heart of darkness.'' He did not elaborate.

Hillary Clinton was wearing a gold-colored, heart-shaped pin on her dark suit. Asked whether it was new, she replied, ``brand new.'' She then pointed to her husband and smiled.

The first lady said the box of candy was a gift from one of her brothers. The first couple moved quickly through the press cabin, distributing candy to passengers in other parts of the plane as well.

Clinton and Zedillo are expected to discuss immigration and complete an agreement on border safety and curbing border violence.

The administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said other agreements the presidents will sign after their summit today at Hacienda Temozon include:

A civil aviation pact to liberalize flights between the United States and Mexico, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the two nations' airlines.

$1.2 million in U.S. funds to the Mexican Nature Conservation Fund, to prevent a repeat of last year's forest fires south of the border that sent smog into Texas.

U.S. training and technical assistance to Mexico's new federal police force, meant to be a fresh start for the country's long-corrupt law enforcement system.

Mexico could be hit with tough economic sanctions if it receives a failing grade in the drug battle. While the administration says Mexico has a tremendous drug problem, it is believed likely Clinton will certify Mexico as a cooperative ally in fighting narcotics, as it has been in all 12 years since the congressionally mandated review process began.

Even before Clinton's trip, the administration appeared to be laying groundwork for a positive report while acknowledging that cocaine seizures by the Mexican police have dropped.

``President Zedillo is clearly trying to establish a clean government and respect for the rule of law,'' Sandy Berger, the president's national security adviser, told reporters.

He said Mexico is confronting its problem of government corruption ``with remarkable candor.''

``Indeed, much of what we know and much of what troubles us about the extent of corruption in the Mexican law-enforcement effort has emerged from Mexico's own efforts to uproot it,'' Berger said. ``And that's something we need to acknowledge and encourage.''

James Dobbins, the National Security Council's senior director for Inter-American Affairs, said, ``We think we've made a lot of progress over the last year.''

Mexico blames the United States for much of its drug problem, because Americans are the world's biggest buyers of illicit narcotics. Yet, in hopes of winning certification, Mexico announced a $400 million ``total war'' Feb. 4 that calls for buying aircraft, ships, radar, X-ray equipment and other items.

Mexico is a major transit point for cocaine shipments from South America to the United States.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

PHOTO (1 -- color) President Clinton and his wife, Hillary, join Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, at Sunday's arrival ceremony.

Khue Bui/Associated Press

(2) Emphasizing his point, President Clinton talks with Mexican counterpart President Ernesto Zedillo.

John Moore/Associated Press