DATE=1/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225218
TITLE=MEXICO/CHIAPAS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=CINDY LAVANDEROS
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
//RE-RUNNING WITH NUMBER///
INTRO: REPERCUSSIONS FROM THE DECEMBER 22ND MASSACRE OF 45
TZOTZIL INDIANS IN CHIAPAS CONTINUE IN MEXICO. THE RESIGNATION
OF TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, THE ARREST OF PEOPLE ALLEGEDLY
INVOLVED IN THE MASSACRE, AND POPULAR DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST
GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN CHIAPAS ARE HAVING AN IMPACT ON MEXICO'S
POLITICAL LIFE. MORE FROM CINDY LAVANDEROS IN MEXICO CITY.
///AMBIENT SOUND OF DEMO///
TEXT: TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MARCHED DOWN MEXICO CITY'S MAIN
AVENUE MONDAY IN THE LATEST POPULAR OUTCRY AGAINST THE CHIAPAS
MASSACRE. THE MARCHERS CALLED FOR PEACE IN CHIAPAS, AND A
WITHDRAWAL OF ALL MILITARY TROOPS FROM THE STATE -- WHICH WAS THE
SCENE OF THE 1994 ZAPATISTA REBEL UPRISING.
//OPT// ALSO MONDAY, PROTESTORS CLASHED WITH STATE POLICE IN
OCOSINGO, CHIAPAS. ONE WOMAN WAS KILLED AND TWO OTHER PEOPLE
WERE WOUNDED AFTER POLICE OPENED FIRE ON THE MARCHERS. THE ARMY
LATER DETAINED ALMOST 30 OFFICERS FOR THE SHOOTINGS. //END OPT//
MASS INDIGNATION OVER THE DECEMBER KILLINGS OF 45 TZOTZIL
INDIANS, MAINLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, BY A PARAMILITARY GROUP
LINKED WITH THE RULING INSTITUTIONAL PARTY, PRI, HAS BROUGHT
TREMENDOUS PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT TO COMPLY WITH THE PEACE
ACCORDS SINGED IN FEBRUARY 1996 WITH THE ZAPATISTA REBELS.
THE NEW INTERIOR MINISTER FRANCISCO LABASTIDA MONDAY ANNOUNCED
MAJOR CHANGES IN HIS STAFF -- INCLUDING A NEW GOVERNMENT
COORDINATOR FOR THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. TALKS BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENT AND REBELS ON IMPLEMENTING THE 1996 ACCORDS HAVE BEEN
STALLED FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR.
MEANWHILE, INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE MASSACRE CONTINUE: A RECENT
REPORT BY THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CONCLUDED STATE
OFFICIALS TRIED TO COVER UP THEIR ROLE IN THE ATTACK BY ALTERING
EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY ABOUT THE KILLINGS. THE REPORT ALSO SAID
STATE POLICE PROBABLY KNEW THE ATTACK WAS HAPPENING BUT DID
NOTHING TO STOP IT.
A LOCAL CHIAPAS POLICE COMMANDER WAS ARRAIGNED MONDAY AFTER
CONFESSING HE HAD BEEN ORDERED TO DELIVER ARMS USED IN THE ATTACK
AGAINST CIVILIANS. HE BECAME THE FIRST STATE OFFICIAL DIRECTLY
IMPLICATED IN THE MASSACRE.
ALL THESE EVENTS HAVE PUT MEXICO'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD UNDER
DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY. THEY ALSO MAY HAVE ECONOMIC
REPRECUSSIONS. EUROPEAN LABOR UNIONS ARE URGING THE EUROPEAN
UNION TO REVIEW PLANS FOR SIGNING A TRADE ACCORD WITH MEXICO IN
LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/CL/WFR
13-Jan-98 5:22 PM EST (2222 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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