What if the mass difference Delta M-s is around 18 inverse picoseconds?

Present experiments in pursuit of the mass difference in the B-s(0)-B-s(0) system have put a lower bound on this quantity of DeltaM(s) > 14.9 ps(-1) ( at 95% C.L.). The same experiments also yield a local minimum in the log-li kelihood function around DeltaM(s) = 17.7 ps(-1), which is 2.5 sigma away f rom being zero. Motivated by these observations, we investigate the consequ ences of a possible measurement of DeltaM(s) = 17.7 +/- 1.4 ps(-1), in the context of both the standard model and supersymmetric models with minimal f lavor violation. We perform a fit of the quark mixing parameters in these t heories and estimate the expected ranges of the CP asymmetries in B decays, characterised by alpha, beta and gamma, the interior angles of the CKM-uni tarity triangle. Based on this study, we argue that, if indeed DeltaM(s) tu rns out to be in its currently-favored range, this would disfavor a large c lass of supersymmetric models. Indeed, of ail the models examined here, the best fit to the data occurs for the standard model.