DATE=4/29/98 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-230467 TITLE=MEXICO / CHIAPAS (L-ONLY) BYLINE=CINDY LAVANDEROS DATELINE=MEXICO CITY CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: MEXICAN PRESIDENT ERNESTO ZEDILLO IS CONCLUDING A TWO-DAY TRIP TO THE SOUTHERN STATE OF CHIAPAS. IT IS HIS FIRST VISIT THERE SINCE A DECEMBER MASSACRE OF 45 INDIANS INFLAMED TENSIONS IN THE TROUBLED MEXICAN REGION. WITH MORE DETAILS, HERE IS REPORTER CINDY LAVANDEROS IN MEXICO CITY. TEXT: DURING HIS TWO-DAY TOUR OF CHIAPAS, PRESIDENT ZEDILLO HAS PROMISED THE GOVERNMENT WILL AVOID USING FORCE, REPRESSION OR VIOLENCE TO RESOLVE THE FOUR-YEAR CONFLICT IN THE STATE. HE SAYS IF NATIONAL UNITY IS TO BE PRESERVED, THERE CAN BE NO WINNERS NOR LOSERS. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WANT TO BEAT ANYBODY, HE SAYS. PRESIDENT ZEDILLO HAS PROMISED CHIAPAS' LARGELY INDIAN POPULATION MORE THAN 175-MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL AID TO BE SPENT ON EDUCATION, HEALTH SERVICES, FARMING PROJECTS AND ROADS. THE PRESIDENT ALSO HAS SENT A RADIO MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY AND HOPE TO THOSE LIVING IN THE CHIAPAN JUNGLE AND OTHER REMOTE AREAS. HE SPOKE OVER A RADIO STATION FIRST OCCUPIED BY ZAPATISTA REBELS WHEN THEY BEGAN THEIR BRIEF UPRISING ON JANUARY 1ST, 1994 TO FIGHT FOR INDIAN RIGHTS. TENSIONS IN CHIAPAS HAVE REMAINED HIGH SINCE THE DECEMBER MASSACRE OF 45 INDIANS BY PARAMILITARY GROUPS LINKED TO THE RULING PARTY. THE GOVERNMENT ALSO HAS SINCE DEPORTED MORE THAN 20 FOREIGNERS FROM CHIAPAS, ACCUSING THEM OF MEDDLING IN MEXICAN AFFAIRS. CRITICS SAY THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP OUT MEDIA AND HUMAN RIGHTS SCRUTINY. TALKS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND ZAPATISTA REBELS HAVE NOT RESUMED SINCE THEY BROKE DOWN IN SEPTEMBER, 1996, -- AFTER PRESIDENT ZEDILLO REFUSED TO IMPLEMENT PEACE ACCORDS ON INDIAN RIGHTS. MR. ZEDILLO IS NOW PROMOTING AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN AND HE IS TRYING TO GARNER SUPPORT FOR IT WITH HIS CHIAPAS VISIT. (SIGNED) NEB/CL/MWD/JO 29-Apr-98 5:18 PM EDT (2118 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
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