COLUMBIA, S.C. — Sen. Joe Biden, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's incoming chairman, wants to get tough with Mexico, calling it an "erstwhile democracy" with a "corrupt system" responsible for illegal immigration and drug problems in the U.S.

Biden, D-Del., was in Columbia yesterday in his first post-election trip to this first-in-the-South presidential primary state as he continues to line up support for his presidential bid.

In front of Rotary Club members, Biden was asked about immigration problems.

The senator, who favors fencing the border, said immigration is driven by poverty in low-wage Mexico.

ISRAEL MAKES BID FOR CONCILIATION

JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Ehud Olmert reached out to the Palestinians yesterday in one of his most conciliatory speeches yet, saying he was prepared to grant them a state, release desperately needed money and free prisoners if they choose the path of peace.

Olmert's remarks sealed a dramatic policy shift and built on a day-old truce meant to end five months of violence in the Gaza Strip. But new rocket attacks by Palestinian militants threatened the latest rapprochement.

Olmert urged Palestinians to form a new, moderate Cabinet committed to carrying out a U.S.-backed peace plan.

NO APOLOGY FROM BLAIR ON SLAVERY

LONDON — Prime Minister Tony Blair condemned the African slave trade and expressed deep sorrow for Britain's role — but stopped short yesterday of offering an apology or compensation for the descendants of those victimized by it.

Activists are pressing Bri-tain to offer an apology and reparations for its role in slavery before it marks the 200th anniversary of the law banning the country's participation in it.

BRITAIN TESTS 3 FOR RADIOACTIVITY

LONDON — The British government yesterday began tracking radioactive hot spots in London to trace the poison that killed a former KGB agent, and three people who reported possible symptoms of contamination underwent testing.

Britain announced a formal inquest into the death of Alexander Litvinenko, but Home Secretary John Reid warned against rushing to conclusions over who might be responsible for killing the ex-spy turned Kremlin critic.

Litvinenko died Thursday after falling ill from what doctors said was poisoning by polonium-210, a radioactive isotope usually manufactured in specialized nuclear facilities.