21.   The peso has dropped amid a political scandal surrounding President Ernesto Santer, and after the U.S. chastised Colombia for its poor record in combatting illegal drugs.

22.   The seal of approval given Mexico was taken here as proof that the annual certification rite was not based on combating drug trafficking alone.

23.   The two nations will work more closely on fighting disease and environmental health problems, on combating drugs and on clean energy programs.

24.   The United States has given Colombia money and military assistance to combat the drug trafficking.

25.   They include running federal budget surpluses, lowering the tax burden, putting Social Security on a sound financial footing, strengthening efforts to combat drugs and improving education.

26.   Though a more balanced regional approach to combating drugs would be welcome, Washington should be under no illusions about the limitations of such an effort.

27.   A country that receives decertification with a national interest waiver has not cooperated in combating drugs, but American interests require the country not be punished.

28.   But the senior official interviewed by The Associated Press denied that the impulse for army involvement in combating drug trafficking came from the U.S. government.

29.   Colombian President-elect Alvaro Uribe and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell agreed Wednesday to work together to combat drug trafficking and terrorism, the State Department said.

30.   Delegates to the conference were mapping out a coordinated strategy for combating drug trafficking in the Caribbean.