The President of Mexico, Ernesto Zedillo, has said sovereignty should not became a victim of the drug trade.

Speaking during the United Nation's special session on drugs, Mr Zedillo urged a balanced strategy in the fight against drugs so that no country would feel entitled to violate another nation.

The call was made as tensions between Mexico and United of States run high over a recent US operation against money laundering, part of which was apparently conducted on Mexican territory without informing the country's officials.

Correspondents say Mr Zedillo's call was also aimed at the US policy of blacklisting countries it considers uncooperative with the American drug fighting efforts.