DATE=2/27/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227399
TITLE=MEXICO/CHIAPAS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=CINDY LAVANDEROS
DATELINE=MEXICO CITY
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: MEXICO HAS EXPELLED A FRENCH PRIEST WHO HAD WORKED IN
CHIAPAS FOR 32 YEARS. HE IS THE FOURTH FOREIGNER MEXICO HAS
DEPORTED IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS. REPORTER CINDY LAVANDEROS HAS
MORE FROM MEXICO CITY.
TEXT: MEXICAN RELIGIOUS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE
CRITICIZED THE DETENTION AND EXPULSION OF THE REVEREND MICHEL
HENRI JEAN CHANTEAU, A 67-YEAR-OLD FRENCH PRIEST. FATHER
CHANTEAU HAD SPENT OVER 30 YEARS WORKING WITH THE MAYAN INDIANS
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CHENALHO IN THE SOUTHERN STATE OF CHIAPAS.
THAT IS WHERE 45 INDIANS WERE MASSACRED IN DECEMBER BY A
PARAMILITARY GROUP ALLEGEDLY LINKED WITH MEXICO'S RULING
INSTITUTIONAL REVOLUTIONARY PARTY.
THE MEXICAN INTERIOR ///TRANS: GOBERNACION/// MINISTRY SAID
FATHER CHANTEAU HAD ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF PLANNING THE
MASSACRE TO WIPE OUT LOCAL SUPPORT OF ZAPATISTA GUERRILLAS WHO
WANT MORE AUTONOMY FOR INDIAN COMMUNITIES. THE MEXICAN
GOVERNMENT HAS ACCUSED FATHER CHANTEAU AND THREE OTHER FOREIGNERS
WHO WERE RECENTLY DEPORTED OF VIOLATING AN ARTICLE OF THE
CONSTITUTION THAT PROHIBITS FOREIGNERS FROM BECOMING INVOLVED IN
MEXICAN POLITICS.
ROCIO CULEBRO, SPOKESPERSON FOR A NATIONAL NETWORK OF MEXICAN
HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, CRITICIZED THE GOVERNMENT'S ACTION.
/// CULEBRO IN SPANISH ///
SHE SAID THE FOREIGNERS WERE NOT ENGAGED IN POLITICS BECAUSE THEY
DID NOT BELONG TO ANY POLITICAL PARTY OR CIVIL ORGANIZATION, BUT
HAD ONLY EXPRESSED THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT THE SITUATION IN CHIAPAS.
MS. CULEBRO ALSO ATTACKED THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE WAY IN WHICH THE
PRIEST WAS DETAINED, SAYING HE HAD BEEN KIDNAPPED AND HELD
INCOMMUNICADO WITHOUT THE RIGHT OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
(SIGNED).
NEB/CL/MWD/PT
27-Feb-98 7:08 PM EST (0008 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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