130 lines
5.2 KiB
Plaintext
130 lines
5.2 KiB
Plaintext
Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit
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from "el diario/La Prensa," a Spanish language newspaper published
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in New York City. Translated and edited by Toby Mailman.
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Mexico
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NEW STEP TOWARD PEACE:
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Resignation of Chiapas Interim Governor Facilitates Negotiations
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with Rebels
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The resignation of the interim governor of Chiapas, Elmar Setzer,
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increased the possibility of a political solution to the armed
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conflict in that state and is seen as a new step by the Federal
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Government in the search for peace.
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Setzer, who replaced deposed minister of government Patrocinio
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Gonzalez Blanco Garrido since January 4, 1993, had been questioned
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for his ties with the previous governor and for his management of
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the internal situation in Chiapas.
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The crisis broke out on January 1 when the Zapatista National
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Liberation Army (EZLN) burst on the scene, taking over four towns
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and declaring war against the current government. During his 12-
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month term Setzer was the main instigator of the expulsions of
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indigenous people from the region of San Juan Chamula for
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religious reasons, and was considered to be a staunch supporter of
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Gonzalez Blanco.
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The Chiapas state government headed by Setzer was the first
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official agency questioned by the armed actions of the EZLN,
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although the EZLN never specifically asked for his dismissal.
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Following Setzer's resignation the Chiapas state congress named
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Javier L"pez Moreno, a native Chiapaneco and an indigenous Tzotil
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from Tenejapa, as governor, which can be interpreted as a
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concession to the millions of indigenous people living that in the
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state.
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According to newspaper reports Setzer's government had information
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about guerrilla groups in the area since last May, but did not
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foresee the explosion of the armed conflict.
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L"pez Moreno is descendent from the Tzotil, one of the main
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indigenous ethnic groups in Chiapas, and was minister of education
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and culture in the state government of General Absal"n
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Castellanos, who was kidnapped by the EZLN.
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Hours before Setzer's resignation became known the presidential
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peace and reconciliation commissioner in Chiapas, Manuel Camacho
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Sol!s, had confirmed that for the pacification of the state the
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unity of the Chiapanecos and political recomposition were
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necessary.
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Setzer's exit is considered to be a new action by the government
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in favor of a peaceful solution to the conflict which is now at a
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point of political solution after 11 days of confrontations which
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left, unofficially, over 200 dead.
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The first conciliatory actions by the government were the naming
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of Camacho as commissioner, a unilateral ceasefire, the
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announcement of amnesty for those involved in the conflict and an
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increase in investments to combat poverty.
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When he took over the governorship L"pez Moreno announced his
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intention to work in Ocosingo, where the bloodiest confrontations
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of the conflict took place, and pointed out his indigenous
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origins.
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"I come from a family like many Chiapanecos which has had no
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brilliance or lineage, but neither meanness nor rancor. My blood
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has never demanded special consideration or privileges," he said
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in Tuxtla Gutirrez.
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Regarding the participation of indigenous people in the
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government, a point on which the EZLN has put emphasis in order to
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assure that theirs is an indigenous movement, L"pez repeated, "The
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indians will be involved in the definition and the fate of
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Chiapas; as things go with them, so they go with everyone." (ED-LP
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1/20/94 from EFE)
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-30-
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DEFENSE MINISTER EXPECTS GUERRILLA ATTACKS
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The Mexican minister of national defense indicated in a military
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communiqu on 1/20/94 that he has "knowledge that in the next 24
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hours criminal groups (guerrillas) are planning to carry out armed
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attacks against he towns of Yajal"n, Sabanillas and Venustiano
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Carranza," in the southern state of Chiapas,
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The Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN), which on January 1
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launched a "declaration of war" against the Mexican government and
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army, has maintained a truce since January 13 in response to a
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ceasefire previously declared by President Carlos Salinas.
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The minister of national defense did not give out any more details
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on the plans of the EZLN guerrillas, who in statements to the
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national press have accused the air force of bombing the mountains
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of Chiapas.
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The military communiqu also indicated that "accusations have been
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received from residents of the region (of Los Altos de Chiapas)
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that a group of 20 armed individuals with covered faces stole a
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number of cattle from a ranch located between the towns of
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Copainala and Coapilla on January 17."
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It added that "To date federal army soldiers continue guarding the
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towns of Altamirano, San Crist"bal, Ocosingo and Las Margaritas,
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among others.
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In San Crist"bal U.S. senator Joseph Kennedy met with a number of
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priests in order to familiarize himself with the situation in
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Chiapas and is preparing a tour of the zones of conflict. (ED-LP
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1/20/94 by AFP)
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[To date no EZLN actions as mentioned by the defense minister have
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been reported.]
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-30-
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