FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          TJ
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1995                           (202) 616-2771
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888




             STATEMENT ON INDIAN GAMING IN NEW MEXICO


     On August 28, 1995, the Department of Justice and the
Department of Interior released a statement regarding the
commencement of an internal review process to address the
question of the continuing validity of the New Mexico gaming
compacts in light of the New Mexico State Supreme Court decision
in State of New Mexico ex rel. Clark v. Johnson.  On October 12,
1995, the Attorney General met with the United States Attorney
for the District of New Mexico and other attorneys from the
Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior who have
been studying the issues raised by that decision.
     The Attorney General was informed of the preliminary efforts
by the Indian tribes and representatives of the State of New
Mexico to reach agreement on the issues raised by the state
Supreme Court decision.  She recognizes that it would be in the 
best interests of the people of New Mexico and all parties
involved to resolve this matter through negotiations.  The
Attorney General expressed the hope that the discussions underway
in New Mexico will soon lead to productive, substantive
negotiations and ultimately to a definitive resolution of the
current impasse.  She noted that the tribes and the state share
common interests in intergovernmental cooperation in law
enforcement, economic development, and government services.  A
mutually acceptable agreement that facilitates these goals is the
best solution for the future of New Mexico and the Indian tribes
and is in accord with the process devised by the Congress in the
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in recognition of state and tribal
sovereignty.
     The Department of Justice and the Department of Interior are
continuing to review the legal issues in order to determine how
to proceed in the event that the negotiations are unsuccessful. 
This review process is still underway, and the Attorney General
and the Secretary of the Interior have reserved decision pending
its completion.  The Department of Justice will not bring any
enforcement action against Indian tribes that are conducting
gaming operations in accordance with approved compacts prior to
the conclusion of that review.
                               ###
95-553