DEPUTIES' UNION BLASTS VOTES AGAINST EXTRADITION MEASURE.

Byline: Lisa Friedman Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - The Los Angeles County deputy sheriffs' union blasted lawmakers Friday who voted against a measure to punish Mexico for blocking the extradition of suspected cop-killers.

In a series of letters mailed Friday, President Roy L. Burns expressed the ``collective disappointment'' of the union's 7,500 members in the Southland at lawmakers who voted against last month's amendment to a foreign aid bill.

``We see no legitimate reason that the United States should support, economically or otherwise, any regime within whose boundaries such criminals enjoy sanctuary from American justice,'' Burns wrote.

The measure, which passed 327-98, blocks U.S. aid to any country that denies the extradition of suspected cop-killers. It applies most directly to Mexico because that country's supreme court has ruled it will not extradite suspects who face the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in the United States.

If it passes in the Senate, the bill would cut off about $66 million in U.S. aid to Mexico.

Opponents of the amendment called it shortsighted and contrary to U.S. interests, because much of American assistance to Mexico goes toward enhancing border security and fighting drug smuggling.

Southland lawmakers voting in favor of the amendment included Reps. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita; Elton Gallegly, R-Thousand Oaks; Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena; and Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks.

Voting against it were Reps. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles; Howard Berman, D-Van Nuys; and Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles.

Lisa Friedman, [phone]

lisa.friedman(at)langnews.com